Beckham’s stadium plan to get Miami franchise off to best start
FORMER England captain David Beckham has released the first details of plans for a new stadium that experts say will give his impending Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in Miami the best chance of survival.
Beckham wants to build a futuristic 25,000-seater arena in the Florida city’s port district close to NBA basketball champions Miami Heat’s home, the American Airlines Arena.
The Beckham Miami United group intend to have a star-studded team playing in the MLS by 2016 and hope to be able to move into their waterfront stadium two years later. The 38-year-old is yet to persuade local authorities to hand him the site, but doing so would give his new franchise the best chance of establishing itself, according to Deloitte’s Mark Roberts.
“In terms of making a statement and setting up the franchise, to open the stadium so soon after the launch gives the mentality that the franchise is here to stay,” Roberts, a senior sports business consultant specialising in venues, told City A.M.
“Some MLS franchise that set up early on share venues or go into already operating venues.
“To use some of the evidence from say Seattle or New York, where they built football specific venues, I think they’ve seen better take-up of attendances.
“To make that statement that it’s here for the long term with our own stadium can only be beneficial to the franchise as it starts.”
Beckham’s plans for the waterfront development also include space for shops, restaurants, a nightclub and a hotel.
Those elements would help to make the area “a destination” and generate increased footfall and revenue, Roberts added.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star announced plans for the team last month after exercising an option to buy a franchise for a discounted $25m.