David Beckham Partner: Miami Stadium Deal in Jeopardy
The soccer legend's business partner, Tim Leiweke, says he believes the franchise could be in danger if a deal isn’t completed.
OMNISPORT
Storm clouds are once again appearing on the horizon for David Beckham’s prospective Miami MLS franchise.
After plenty of setbacks in search of a location, the franchise had settled on a stadium site across the street from Marlins Park. But while negotiations with the city of Miami appear to be going well, Tim Leiweke, who has been heavily involved in the talks, told the Miami Herald editorial board things have not been as rosy in discussions for the privately owned parcels of land.
Leiweke, the soon-departing CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which runs Toronto FC, in addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, joined the group in late October to aid in the negotiations to acquire the land for the stadium. He blames the private owners for demanding too much for the land.
“They know what we’re doing and unfortunately they’ve let that create an absolutely unrealistic conversation. They can absolutely blow this deal up, and they probably will blow this deal up,” Leiweke told the Miami Herald. “We’re willing to overpay. We just don’t want to be the stupidest guys on the face of the earth.”
He also admitted there have been issues with the franchise itself, adding: "This has not been the smartest negotiation I've been a part of."
Leiweke also claimed there are fallback plans, but Miami Beckham United group is expected to present to the MLS Board of Governors in early December with its stadium deal done, outside of a public referendum in the spring. If the deal falls apart, it could put the fate of the Miami franchise in jeopardy.
“If at the end of the day, whether it be the politics or the greed of the situation we’re facing makes this unable to happen ... then I’ll let the commissioner decide,” Leiweke said. “But I don’t like those odds and it makes me very nervous about MLS in Miami.”