MIAMI: David Beckham's plan to bring Major League Soccer back to South Florida is on the cusp of becoming reality.
Beckham and his partners are planning a Monday event to formally announce Miami's new MLS team, as well as its name and logo, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither Beckham's group nor MLS officials had announced the plans publicly.
A spokesman for Beckham did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His group has said it wants the new team to begin play in the 2020 season.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy star announced his plans to bring an MLS team to Miami four years ago. The process has been arduous since, most recently because of a lawsuit that was filed over Beckham's $9 million purchase of a plot of land from Miami-Dade County to be used for the team's planned 25,000-seat stadium.
A contract he signed in 2007 with the LA Galaxy gave Beckham the right to start an expansion franchise for $25 million, and in 2013 he selected Miami as the place where he would want to put a team.
It will be South Florida's second chance to have an MLS franchise. The Miami Fusion played from 1998 through 2001 in Fort Lauderdale, about a half-hour's drive north of Miami, and folded because of poor attendance.
When the team officially is born, Miami will become the 11th market with teams from the five biggest North American sports leagues — MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL and MLS. Toronto also has five major pro teams, with the difference being that it has a CFL franchise and not an NFL club.
David Beckham plans to unveil Miami MLS team on Monday
David Beckham plans to unveil Miami MLS team on Monday
4 advance to quarterfinals at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Samsonova, Kessler, Baptiste and Tauson all win, while Eala and Tjen progress in drama-filled doubles
ABU DHABI: Four WTA stars have reached the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City, while Filipina hotshot Alex Eala, alongside Janice Tjen, won a thrilling doubles encounter which went down to a super tiebreak.
On Tuesday, in the singles, seven-time WTA Tour title winner Liudmila Samsonova eliminated Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in straight sets and McCartney Kessler knocked out the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open reigning singles champion Leylah Fernandez.
In the evening, Hailey Baptiste won an all-American clash against Emma Navarro to book her spot in the quarterfinals.
Baptiste said: “It feels really good to progress to the quarters. The atmosphere was great and there’s some fans here from back home in Washington D.C. which is awesome.”
On the doubles side, there was a full crowd on court one to witness Eala and Tjen overcame Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic in dramatic fashion. The match went down to a super tiebreak and the popular Asian duo came out on top in front of an ecstatic crowd.
Away from the courts, students enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at sports physiotherapy as Aliaksandra Sasnovich visited Healthpoint Hospital to explore equipment used in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries.
The day included an exclusive meet-and-greet, with students taking photos with Sasnovich before gathering at the Stadium Court to soak up the atmosphere.
Nadiia Kichenok visited the Healthpoint booth, where she took part in a sports injury health quiz, posed for photos, and signed merchandise and tennis balls for fans.
In addition, there was a Special Olympics Clinic for an hour in the evening and activities at the tournament village with stilt walkers and live music.
Nigel Gupta, tournament director, said: “It was another wonderful day at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, with huge crowds and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the venue.
“Fans have even more to look forward to tomorrow, with defending champion Belinda Bencic making her tournament debut and crowd favorite Alexandra Eala aiming to book her place in the quarterfinals in the closing match of the day.”
Wednesday is the International Girl and Women in Sports Day, appropriately timed with a strong schedule on Stadium Court. Olympic gold medalist Bencic faces British qualifier Sonay Kartal, and Eala takes on Sasnovich.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open runs until Feb. 7.
