The governing board of Major League Soccer approved on Dec. 5 an expansion to 28 clubs, including Miami Beckham United, and endorsed its proposed stadium location in the Overtown neighborhood.

Soccer superstar David Beckham, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, producer Simon Fuller and sport executive Tim Leiweke have about nine acres under contract from private landowners and Miami-Dade County. They’ve pledged to build a stadium of around 30,000 seats at 650 N.W. 8th Street with private funding.

“We are very supportive of Miami Beckham United’s plans to locate their stadium in the City of Miami's Overtown neighborhood,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Their vision for a world-class venue within the urban core that is accessible by mass transportation is impressive, and we believe it will be an important part of the continued revitalization of the area. We look forward to working with David and his partners to finalize plans to bring Major League Soccer to Miami.”

MLS currently has 20 teams, which each team playing 34 regular seasons games a year. The Board of Governors plans to have 24 teams by 2020 with the addition of Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Minnesota.

That should be plenty of time for Miami Beckham United to build a stadium as long as it can start the planning and zoning process soon – and close the land deal.

The league has yet to select the additional four franchises to reach 28 clubs.

 

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