David Beckham, Co-Investors In Advanced Negotiations To Own MLS Team In Miami

David Beckham is in the "final round of  negotiations with backers for his return to Major League Soccer as the owner of a new franchise in Miami," according to Charles Sale of the London DAILY MAIL. Beckham had a clause in his original contract with L.A. Galaxy allowing him to "buy an MLS club" with a 25% discount and he has "almost settled on Florida," where the MLS is keen to expand. He is expected to "announce progress before Christmas once his co-investors are in place." These could include "Bolivia-born billionaire Marcelo Claure, who tried unsuccessfully to launch an MLS franchise in Florida in 2009 and joined Beckham in looking at potential stadiums in the Miami area last June." NFL Miami Dolphins Owner Steve Ross "may also get involved, while another multi-millionaire certain to be part of the consortium is Beckham's business partner Simon Fuller." The "most likely home for the team" is Florida Int'l University's stadium in Miami (DAILY MAIL, 9/30).