David Beckham announces launch of MLS Miami team after long wait

After a long wait, it's finally been launched.

Ten years after the idea was conceived, David Beckham announced the launch of his MLS team today. The franchise will be based in Miami, MLS commissioner, Don Garber confirmed. This has been a dream of Beckham's ever since he first moved from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy over ten years ago. Garber said:

" [Beckham] said, ‘I want to come to the league and grow the sport but one day I want to become an owner’. That dream started all the way back in 2007, and four or five years ago he said, ‘Miami is the city I want to make my city of choice’."

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/958021224621223938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ffootball%2F2018%2Fjan%2F29%2Fdavid-beckham-mls-miami-team-soccer Miami used to have an MLS team called Miami Fusion between 1998 and 2001 but the team folded due to poor attendances. Beckham's group hope to appeal to the huge Latino population in South Florida. Today's announcement was made in both English and Spanish. Having a name as famous as Beckham's behind the brand should help too, although the younger generations of fans will have no recollection of him as a player, which could affect the levels of influence is name can have in attracting fans. https://twitter.com/RobHarris/status/957985058350157825

"Everyone knows that we did the announcement for Miami four years ago, and then we’ve had a lot of bumps along the road and that’s been frustrating,” Beckham told Good Morning America on Monday. “But now we’re in such a positive place.”

Final details regarding the stadium need to be worked out, but Beckham is confident that his franchise will have a home ground in the Overtown area of Miami.