Expansion

NBA star LeBron James says he's spoken to David Beckham over stake in potential Miami MLS team

LeBron James and David Beckham shake hands at a Miami Heat game on June 3

Could LeBron James be teaming up with David Beckham on an MLS team in Miami?


Although the two have previously discussed soccer in Miami, the Miami Heat superstar revealed on Monday that a stake in an MLS team for James has also been broached.


"There's some interest on both sides," James told media in Miami. "David has become a good friend of mine over the last few years. I think it would be great for this city to have a football club for sure. There's interest on both sides but it's preliminary talks.


"The research is still being made out," he continued. "I think it could be huge. You never know. I think this is a great town for soccer. There's a lot of soccer players, there's great youth soccer players here and people love the city as well. That definitely would help."



When contacted by MLSsoccer.com, the MLS league office declined to comment on a potential partnership between the two sports icons.


Beckham, who has a contractual option to purchase an MLS expansion team at a discounted rate, was back in Miami in recent days touring potential stadium sites and meeting with local officials and potential partners.


This most recent visit led to MLS in Miami becoming a topic of conversation once again. And James, who is a minority owner of English club Liverpool FC, has come to learn the game over recent years.


"I've grown a great interest in watching the game and learning the guys," James said. "It's a pretty intense sport. My kids love it as well. I've grown to the point where I know exactly what's going on when I'm watching the game."