David Beckham’s business team "swooped into Miami a year ago, full of irresistible excitement and lofty ideas, and got politicians to agree to negotiate a location" for a new MLS stadium, but 12 months later "there is still no stadium site," according to Patricia Mazzei of the MIAMI HERALD. Beckham’s group "has stayed largely silent since June, regrouping -- and, some supporters fear, reconsidering -- after feeling burned by politicians who eagerly proposed potential sites on public land only to quickly back away from them." The Miami Beckham United organization said that it is "still hunting for a stadium location, though quietly this time, with private property owners." After being "denied twice, the group appears reluctant to openly discuss a new one until a deal -- assuming one can be reached -- is firmly in place." Beckham's real-estate adviser John Alschuler in an e-mail wrote, "We have made very meaningful strides in the last couple of months. ... I am optimistic that there will be several positive announcements in the first quarter of the next year.” Mazzei noted Beckham earlier this year exercised an option in his MLS player contract to "purchase a franchise for a deeply discounted" $25M after his retirement. However, it is "unclear how long he has to come up with financial and stadium plans." Beckham and MLS "had indicated there was a short time frame for a stadium deal to come together," but the passing months "have shown there was no hard deadline, at least not" for '14 (MIAMI HERALD, 12/28).
