MIAMI, Feb. 5 (UPI) — {link:David Beckham’: “http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/014da56f07f78e224cc3adc3641aada8/?ilink=1″,nw, t: “"e;British Fashion Awards"e; in London”}s Miami soccer franchise finally has a home, albeit, temporarily.
On Tuesday, Miami-Dade county commissioners asked Mayor Carlos Gimenez to offer a proposal, using the Florida International University football stadium as a temporary venue for the much-awaited franchise, according to the {link:Miami Herald.: “http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article9078893.html”,nw, t: “Herald on Beckham stadium”}
The MLS team’s ownership group, {link:Miami Beckham United: “http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/david-beckham-s-miami-franchise-offered-temporary-stadium-020415?cmpid=tsmtw:fscom:foxsoccer”,nw, t: “Fox Sports on Beckham in Miami”}, are still searching for a permanent home, a year after Beckham announced that he wanted to bring the franchise to the city.
The unanimous commission vote directed the mayor to reach out to Beckham and his investors.
The resolution gives Gimenez or his designate 90 days to negotiate a deal with FIU, according to {link:ESPNFC.com: “http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2279568/miami-county-eyes-fiu-stadium-as-temporary-home-for-beckhams-mls-franchise”,nw, t: “Beckham temporary home”}.
“Things are progressing in Miami, and we are very much on track in our plans,” a spokesman for Miami Beckham United told ESPNFC via email. “David Beckham is very positive about the future of the club, and he continues to enjoy incredible support from the people in Miami. Right now, our focus is on identifying the location for a purpose-built stadium that will be the team’s permanent home. Careful consideration will be given to FIU when we address the opportunities for a temporary facility.”
The 39-year old former international soccer star spoke to E! Online about the franchise, last month.
“We’re pretty close to announcing certain things and then the stadium will come after that,” Beckham {link:told E! Online: “http://www.eonline.com/news/619628/david-beckham-can-t-get-enough-of-soulcycle-i-m-very-obsessed”,nw, t: “Beckham on E Online”}. “You can’t build a stadium overnight, so finding the right site, finding the right place in Miami is important for us. But it will all start coming together pretty quickly and everything will start happening pretty soon. I’m really excited about that. Being an ex soccer player to have my own team, I’m excited about that.”
Beckham’s group was previously denied potential locations at Miami’s museum park, a boat slip, and at PortMiami, {link:according to the Herald.: “http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1965787.html”,nw, t: “Miami Herald locations”}
Ocean Bank Field at FIU stadium at 11200 SW 8th Street in Miami, has 20,000 total seats, according to {link:the school’s website: “http://www.fiusports.com/sports/2014/6/18/GEN_0618143537.aspx”,nw, t: “FIU Stadium”}. The MLS {link:averaged 19,149: “http://www.empireofsoccer.com/record-breaking-attendance-29742/”,nw, t: “MLS Attendance”} fans per game last season.
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