Expansion

Soccer on the bay? Report says David Beckham eyeing potential waterfront stadium in Miami

Miami map

If it materializes, it could become the most picturesque soccer stadium in the country, complete with a backdrop of cruise ships, yachts and the city skyline.


A report in TheMiami Herald on Tuesday claims that David Beckham and his partners, who are looking into an MLS expansion team in Miami, have identified a "top potential site for a permanent soccer stadium for a new MLS team: Port Miami."


The outlet cites the Miami-Dade County's mayor's office, which confirmed the approach by Beckham's group, while making it clear that "talks with the county over the seaport site are still in their infancy."


"We said yes, we'd take a look at it," deputy mayor Chip Iglesias told the paper, singling out 25 acres on Dodge Island.


Iglesias also revealed that Beckham's group is looking at 30 different stadium sites, but that the preference is for an urban setting.


Beckham has visited Miami on more than one occasion in recent months, touring potential locations, including SunLife Stadium, Marlins Park and the FIU stadium on the Florida International University campus.


In a press gathering held last week in conjunction with a boxing event in Macau, Beckham was bullish about the prospects of Miami (video below).


"Miami is something that really excites me because I think there's a real energy down there," Beckham said. "I think they're ready for a football team in that part of the world. It's not been announced yet, but at some point we'll have some very good news."