David Beckham’s MLS Soccer Franchise Faces Hostile Response as Business Groups in Miami Join Forces to Rally Against the Retired Athlete
David Beckham once said that building his own soccer team would be one of his ultimate dreams. However, his dream might not become a reality after Beckham faced hostile response from business groups in Miami, prohibiting him from building a 25,000-capacity soccer arena located at the port of Miami.
The business groups who were in disapproval of the Beckham's proposed soccer arena ran a full-page advertisement on two major newspapers, stating that it would threaten the city's plans to benefit from on the growth and development of the Panama Canal, the Daily Mail reported. Apparently, Beckham and his confederates would be shelling out their wealth to build the said soccer arena, which will serve as the venue for 17 Major League Soccer (MLS) games, in addition to other soccer matches and entertainment events, the Daily Mail further reported.
"We cannot jeopardize well-paying jobs, like crane operators, longshore workers, and mechanics, for low-paying stadium jobs, such as concession sales," the Miami Seaport Alliance wrote in the advertisement that was published in Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, its sister Spanish-language newspaper.
Retired Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's head of governmental affairs John Fox and car dealer Norman Braman led the alliance. According to Braman, Beckham and his confederates could have chosen a different venue to build the stadium with. "There are plenty of places for the stadium to be," said Mr. Braman.
Beckham announced his plans to build the stadium in the Miami port area in the latter part of March. It is only one of the four areas which are being considered including one close to the Miami International Airport and one at the Florida International University.
"When people think of Miami, they immediately think about being near or on the water," said Beckham. If the proposed arena gets a green signal, it would sit next to home court arena of the Miami Heat team.
Beckham somewhat knew that there would be negative feedbacks and comments, but he said that they will be prepared to take care of the things that will come along the way. "We're ready to handle everything that'll be thrown at us," Beckham uttered. He further chanted that the important thing for him and his investors at the moment is to "get everybody on their side," and let people know the main reasons why they chose to build the arena at a particular place.
Beckham's property advisor revealed that the funds needed to build the arena are all good, and they hope to have a team playing at the arena in two years' time.
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