It was announced in November that former England captain Beckham was considering the launch of a new MLS team, most probably in Miami in south Florida and he is understood to be joining forces with Miami Heat’s NBA superstar LeBron James.
‘We haven’t announced that it’s definitely going to be Miami yet but obviously I’ve been seen in Miami quite a few times,’ Beckham told Sky Sports in November. ‘We’re getting the details right at the moment.
Big name: David Beckham's new MLS franchise could be called Miami Beckham United
Game face: Beckham hasn't confirmed the franchise or the name, but it has been registered by XIX Entertainment
‘I’m excited about the future. I want to put back into the game a little something and if this is the way of doing it… then it’s amazing. I’m excited about that.’
Two of the world’s most recognisable sporting faces are believed to be linking up with Simon Fuller, the British entrepreneur that did much to ensure Beckham’s move to LA Galaxy and one of Beckham’s closest advisors, while Bolivian billionaire Marcelo Claure is also set to be involved.
Beckham was spotted out for dinner with Claure last month and they were later pictured scouting potential stadium locations in Miami, with the former Manchester United man believed to be considering a new purpose-built stadium.
Into business: Beckham and billionaire Marcelo Claure are joining forces for the new MLS franchise
Going in: Miami Heat's LeBron James and media mogul Fuller, a longtime Beckham collaborator, are involved
Now, it appears that a name may have been chosen for this ambitious new project. According to ExMiami, Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment registered Miami Beckham United LLC as a new Florida-based company managed by Beckham Brands Limited.
Further curiosity was aroused when it emerged that the domain name MiamiBeckhamUnited.com has been registered while a club lobbyist is believed to have registered with Miami-Dade County under the Miami Beckham United umbrella.
A Beckham franchise had always been a possibility since he signed for LA Galaxy, after his deal with the club and MLS rewarded him with the option to purchase a new league franchise for $25million.
The potential was increased with the news that MLS had the intention of expanding to 24 teams within the next seven years.
As things stand, there are 19 teams in the MLS, although Manchester City’s alliance with the New York Yankees - to form New York City FC - will raise that number to 20 by 2015.
There will also be the addition of Orlando City in 2015, for whom former Stoke City director Phil Rawlins is one of the owners.
Meanwhile, while Beckham may be plotting across the pond, he has been back in Manchester this week and he admitted that leaving Manchester United, as he did in 2003 after a breakdown in his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, had never been on his agenda.
‘You never know when it’s going to end. I never expected to leave Manchester United. I never wanted to leave Manchester United but I had to come to terms with that. They were the team I wanted to play with my whole career.’
Before his question and answer session at the National Football Museum, where he hailed Eric Cantona and Zinedine Zidane as his footballing heroes, Beckham dined at the swanky Italian restaurant San Carlo in central Manchester.
