By Paul Kennedy
Now that David Beckham has ended his playing career, attention has turned to hispost-retirement plans. Beckham’s plans have become the MLS expansion story du jour.
What we know is that as part of his agreement with MLS when he signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, hehas the option to purchase an MLS expansion team for $25 million.
A $25 million fee was in the range of what an MLS team went for in 2007, but the value of MLS expansion rights have goneup since then so it is a good deal for Beckham.
The two conditions we know of are: (1) the option is to purchase an expansion team — not an existing team; (2) and it is for any marketexcept for New York (where MLS could get $100 million for the new team it hopes to announce in the next month).
“There have been discussions with his advisers, his management, preliminarydiscussions,” MLS executive vice president of communications Dan Courtemanche
The market most often mentioned is Miami.
“It is one of many markets that has been mentioned,” Courtemanche added, “so have other markets. At some point in time he will exercise that option and we can go through the process of making sureit is the perfect fit for David and Major League Soccer but we are not there yet.”
KC BEER FESTIVAL RETURNS. Sporting Kansas City will hold its secondannual Summer Beer Festival, a tribute to craft beers and benefit for AIDS Walk Kansas City. The event will take place June 15 5-9 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of McCoy’s in Westport.
The event will highlight more than 30 breweries from around the world. Everyone will receive a commemorative Sporting KC tasting glass. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
WARRIOR MOVES INTO SPAIN. Manufacturer Warrior Sports, whose uniform deal with Liverpool is the most expensive in England, will move into Spain next seasonas the official supplier of La Liga’s Sevilla.
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Makes Becks look pretty smart. MLS, not so much. More important; I think MLS should stop at 20 until the league is WELL established. Bigger is not always better…. let’s get much better before we get bigger!