Mas said that the team's name, colors and shield will not be revealed in a traditional press conferenceGETTY IMAGES
MLS owners have "agreed on a name for David Beckham's Miami team," and it will be "revealed 'very soon' in an unconventional way," according to Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. The unveiling of the "shield and team colors are also imminent." Miami Beckham United co-Owner Jorge Mas said, "Just wait 'til you see how we're going to reveal the name, it's really cool." Mas said that the name reveal will "not be at a traditional press conference," and it "may not even be revealed in Miami, although Mas would not offer any clues." Sources said that Atletico Miami and Inter Miami are the "two top choices." Mas said that the MLS owners have "agreed on the name, the shield and colors are almost done, and it will be announced when the city hall issues are not dominating the headlines." Mas said that the goal of the Miami MLS group is to "make this franchise the highest-profile from a global perspective," and Mas feels they can "lure elite players from Europe and Latin America." The team is "scheduled to start play in a temporary facility" in '20 and in its new stadium in '21. Mas said that he "adopted Croatia" while watching the World Cup, and that there is a "player there who's extremely interested in coming to Miami -- a very high-profile player." Mas added, "We have to get a stadium decision on the ballot as quickly as possible because per the expansion agreement with MLS, I have to start construction by October of 2019. If not, I am technically in default of the expansion agreement, and that puts the team at risk of not coming to Miami" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/17).
PICKING UP THE TAB: In Miami, Joey Flechas in a front-page piece reports the owners of Miami Beckham United "expect to spend" $35M on "cleaning up contamination at Melreese Country Club, the site they hope to redevelop into a large commercial complex with a soccer stadium and park." Mas' "bold presentation before city commissioners Thursday contrasted with his more conciliatory tone" yesterday during an interview two days before commissioners will consider "holding a referendum for voters to decide if they want to change city law so the administration could negotiate a no-bid land lease with the Beckham group to build Miami Freedom Park." Mas is "making concessions to critics and commissioners while promising to personally court homeowners in Grapeland Heights, the neighborhood directly east of Melreese." Mas said that he is "working with residents to organize large community meetings where he'll walk homeowners through his vision" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/17).
