Expansion

Report: David Beckham adds Tim Leiweke to MLS Miami investment group

David Beckham and Tim Leiweke in 2008.

The man largely responsible for bringing David Beckham to MLS is now being counted on by Beckham himself to bring an MLS franchise to Miami.


According to a report from the Miami Herald, Beckham has added Tim Leiweke to the investment group that is looking to start an MLS club in Miami. Leiweke is currently the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns a number of sports team in Toronto, including the Raptors (NBA), Maple Leafs (NHL) and Toronto FC.


The 58-year-old executive was previously the CEO and president of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and was a key reason why Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007.



Beckham adding Leiweke to the investment group is reportedly a move to help the Englishman secure an MLS franchise in Miami. Beckham announced his plans to start a club in the South Florida city back in 2014, but needs to come to terms on a stadium deal before being officially awarded a franchise. 


Beckham's investment group already includes long-time business partner Simon Fuller, who created the hit reality TV series American Idol, and Bolivian billionaire/Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure.