David Beckham "has spent the past six months spanning the globe in search of deep-pocketed equity partners to help shoulder" the estimated $300M it will cost to construct a new MLS stadium in Miami, "establish a front office and acquire high-quality players," according to a front-page piece by Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. Sources said that there has been “'vast interest' from serious investors," including EPL club Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich, a Chinese group, a few Americans and a couple of groups from the Middle East, including Qatar Sports Investments, which owns Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. A deal "is expected in the next few weeks." Sources said that Beckham "is being very particular about selecting an equity group." He and his team "prefer a partner who understands professional sports -- particularly soccer -- and would have the background and financial ability to help acquire elite players who will excite the discerning soccer-savvy South Florida audience." Pairing with a global soccer brand "would give the Miami team instant credibility and international marketing reach." MLS Miami "needs to have its ownership and funding in place in order to close the stadium land deal." Beckham’s group "hopes to close the deal on a nine-acre stadium site on the west edge of Overtown by the end of February" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/10).
