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Beckham Miami MLS Bid Wins Permission For Formal Talks; Garber Praises A Few Cities

David Beckham yesterday "overcame grumbling" from MLS owners to "win permission for formal talks on launching a Miami franchise that will have a billionaire financier as the majority owner," according to a front-page piece by Kaufman & Hanks of the MIAMI HERALD. Some owners reportedly "aren’t thrilled to let the retired soccer star’s partners profit from the deep discount on an expansion fee that Beckham was granted" in '07. Beckham -- who will be a minority partner -- has an option to purchase an MLS expansion franchise for $25M, while the "league now requires" $150M for new teams. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, "I had some concerns they wouldn’t get past today. We’re not announcing MLS Miami today, but I am confident we’ll be able to do that, perhaps by the end of the summer." Kaufman & Hanks note league approval is "one of the three elements Beckham needs to start construction of the open-air stadium a few blocks north of the Miami River." The other two: "purchasing from Miami-Dade the three acres needed to complete a nine-acre stadium site in Overtown, and winning zoning approval from the city of Miami to build the 25,000-seat facility." Garber seemed to "lay out a schedule that meshed with the county deadline" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/3). Garber appeared at halftime of FS1's coverage of last night's MLS All-Star Game with the net's Rob Stone. Stone said of the Miami market, "For years it's felt like a square peg in a round hole. Why is the time right now?" Garber: "It starts with a final stadium location which we worked so hard for and really David needed a financial partner who he now has with [Dodgers co-Owner] Todd Boehly." He added, "We hope to be in Miami in several weeks time to be able to celebrate with David and his partners" ("MLS All-Star Game," FS1, 8/2).

LOOKING AHEAD: ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle noted Beckham and the group's "newly minted majority owner," Boehly, "made a presentation on the group's plans." It was the first time that Beckham had "met formally with the league's owners, and it was also Boehly's introduction to MLS stakeholders." Heading into the meeting, it was "thought that the vote would grant final approval for Beckham's group." Instead, it "appears that that vote is merely a step towards that goal." However, the vote is the "latest sign that Beckham's three-and-a-half-year quest to bring an MLS team to South Florida will reach a successful conclusion" (ESPNFC.com, 8/2). Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, who is part of Beckham's investment group, previously said that the "team is aiming" for a '20 start date at its 25,000-seat stadium (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/2). Garber said when the league reaches 28 teams "we'll be the largest league in the world. We've got a lot of work to do to onboard all those teams, figure out our competitive format, be sure that we have the right players, ensure that we have the right relationship with all those communities" ("MLS All-Star Game," FS1, 8/2). 

WANTING TO JOIN THE PARTY: SI.com's Brian Straus notes Miami would be the league’s 24th club (No. 23 LAFC enters in '18), and Garber said that MLS "remains on track to identify teams No. 25 and 26 following its December board meeting." Sacramento Republic FC remains favored to earn one of those bids, and Garber said that the USL club's decision to "begin preparation work at its stadium site last week 'was a great move on their part.'" Garber also said Detroit, whose potential owners Dan Gilbert and Tom Gores moved "one step closer" to securing the downtown property they are targeting for a stadium. He added that "large U.S. Open Cup and Gold Cup crowds in Cincinnati and Nashville also impressed" (SI.com, 8/3). FS1's Alexi Lalas on MLS and Adidas signing a six-year extension said, "That is good for the business of MLS and ultimately that is good for what happens on the field in terms of the competition and the talent." FS1's Eric Wynalda said the "business side of it is going well because for the first time in a while we've got some cohesion between U.S. Soccer" and MLS because "sometimes we don't get along. But it just seems like everybody's on the same page" ("MLS All-Star Game Pregrame," FS1, 8/2).

CITY PLANNING: In Sacramento, Ryan Lillis notes Republic FC is "maintaining its place as a front-runner" for MLS expansion. Sac Soccer Chair & CEO Kevin Nagle said the "path to MLS has never been more clear." He added, "We appreciate Commissioner Garber’s comments today in support of Sacramento and are now laser focused on the expansion vote at MLS Cup this December" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/3). When asked about FC Cincinnati's three proposed stadium sites, as well as each expansion candidate's stadium pursuits, Garber said that he "wasn't concerned about Cincinnati's or other markets' ability to close on stadium plans" in '17. Then Garber diverted from the stadium subject and went on to say "what's happening in Cincinnati is remarkable." FC Cincinnati President & GM Jeff Berding said that he was "flattered to receive the praise" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 8/3). In Detroit, Tony Paul notes reps for Detroit's "bullish bid" to land an MLS franchise were in Chicago yesterday for the All-Star Game, and to "meet with league brass and ownership." Detroit "at least seemed to get an endorsement, or two," from Garber (DETROIT NEWS, 8/3).

THE STARS COME OUT: In Chicago, Bob Narang notes a "sellout crowd" of 61,428 attended last night's MLS All-Star Game at Soldier Field, where Real Madrid won on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/3). Also in Chicago, Brian Sandalow writes the "environment for the game included a downpour at kickoff" and a fanfest outside the stadium. Fans were "treated to a flyover after the national anthem." Real Madrid stars Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Marcelo "didn't start but entered in the 63rd minute." Orlando City F Dom Dwyer said, "It was a fun night" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/3). ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle wrote compared to some earlier MLS ASGs, the "difference in energy and anticipation could be felt everywhere," thanks "mostly to a gigawatt opponent in Real Madrid" (ESPNFC.com, 8/3). THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE's David Haugh noted the sellout came despite the Cubs and White Sox both playing home games yesterday. MLS "issued about 700 media credentials" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/3). SI.com's Brian Straus noted MLS is now 8-6 in ASGs against foreign clubs and has "lost two in a row for the first time" since '11. When the ASG is "bad, it looks just like every other tired, derivative all-star contest." And "unfortunately," last night's game "fit that description" (SI.com, 8/3).

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