Becks still has some work to do
Paul Dalglish would welcome the opportunity to take on David Beckham in a Miami derby.
But reams of red tape – not just concerning the burning issue of promotion and relegation in football Stateside – are standing in the way.
Beckham still has to win over the people of Miami for his plans of a new club, with a sprawling stadium complex, to come to fruition. City of Miami commissioners have just voted to hold a referendum on whether to open negotiations on an agreement to develop the Miami Freedom Park.
Reported to be a $1 billion (£760m) project, the proposals are described by the former England captain’s business team as a “world-class soccer village and technology hub”. Beckham has spoken of his desire to give the “young kids of Miami” a chance with the franchise – as well as attracting some of football’s biggest names to the club. Meanwhile, the privatelyfunded venture says it will create 11,000 jobs for the Florida city and see $20m (£15m) donated to the local community. However, Beckham and his team could face a challenging few months as they bid to convince Miamians to back the project.
Among the hurdles is the scepticism held by some over a perceived chequered history of such projects in the city.
They may also have to agree to demands by locals which include a wage of $15-an-hour (£11) for employees at the site. In midweek, five Miami commissioners voted in favour of a referendum in November on whether to authorise city officials to negotiate an agreement to develop the project, passing it with a 3-2 majority.
Commissioner Ken Russell, who reportedly backed the proposal after receiving assurances from the Beckham group, said: “Stay sceptical. I remain sceptical. “We have a history of bad deals in Miami.”