Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado today plans to ask the City Commission "for a green light to start talks" with David Beckham and his investment group regarding the construction of a soccer-specific stadium next to Marlins Park, with Beckham’s group saying it has "90 days to exercise its option to purchase a team franchise" from MLS, according to Hanks & Smiley of the MIAMI HERALD. Regalado "called for a referendum last week." Beckham’s group in a letter to Regalado yesterday "pledged to build their stadium with private dollars, but hope Miami can provide it the land." But acquiring the stadium site west of Marlins Park "promises to be challenging." While Miami "owns a large chunk of the real estate, the site also has privately owned apartment buildings filled with longtime residents." Regalado said that Beckham’s group "promised to pay for acquiring the land, but it’s not known how much that might cost or how long it would take." Miami "could purchase the land, or try to seize it through eminent domain." Beckham also "appears to be seeking county ownership of the stadium, which would spare the team from paying property taxes." His group in its letter expressed its desire for a "'world-class stadium' next to Marlins Park, formally abandoning past reservations about the area." Beckham and partners Marcelo Claure and Simon Fuller "embraced the location," which Fuller "once described as 'spiritually tainted'" by the Marlins’ '09 stadium-financing deal (MIAMI HERALD, 7/23). In Miami, Greg Cote polled readers about their "level of interest or excitement" for the city's new MLS team. Nearly three- quarters of respondents "answered either 'very strong' (49.8%) or 'fairly strong' (23.2%)." The results also included "'medium' at 7.6%, 'low' at 6.9% and 'none' at 12.3%" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 7/22).
TWIN CITY SHOWDOWN: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman reports St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is "working hard behind the scenes to land" the MLS expansion franchise awarded to NASL club Minnesota United Owner Bill McGuire "with the same vigor with which he was able to get CHS Field built" for the independent American Association St. Paul Saints and "several other new ventures." Furthermore, sources said that St. Paul "is in a better position" than Minneapolis to get an MLS franchise "unless Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and the City Council come through with tax relief in a hurry." McGuire "refused to comment about any meetings he had with St. Paul or Minneapolis politicians, or whether progress had been made regarding getting the proper financial assistance." He said that a potential MLS team "could play" at Target Field, TCF Bank Stadium or the new U.S. Bank Stadium, "but only on an interim basis." Word is that MLS officials are "going to meet or have already met with St. Paul politicians." While they "prefer Minneapolis and the farmers market location, they probably would go with St. Paul if the city can fund it." If Minneapolis "wants the MLS franchise here, it better act in a hurry," as St. Paul is "not a pawn in this situation" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/23).
DON'T FORGET ABOUT US: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg reported Charlotte Sports Foundation Exec Dir Will Webb believes bringing an MLS team to the city has “become a realistic goal.” USL club Charlotte Independence President & Managing Partner Jim McPhilliamy “has said on numerous occasions he wants to land an MLS franchise,” but the difference now is that other people “are listening -- and starting to discuss the idea in a serious way.” Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Department Dir Jim Garges “has suggested rebuilding Memorial Stadium and, eventually, increasing its capacity to 25,000.” Webb said that a “better idea for creating a home field" might be a new 25,000-seat outdoor stadium "that could be used for high school football and other events as well as MLS.” MLS reps “have acknowledged they’re aware of Charlotte’s interest but have said little about when, where or how much” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/22).
