Beckham plans to make Miami team a global soccer franchise

(Repeats to widen subscription) By David Adams MIAMI, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Former England soccer captain David Beckham announced on Wednesday that he is exercising his option to become the owner of a Major League Soccer team in Miami. “This is an exciting time for myself and an exciting time for my family and my friends and my partners,” Beckham added. Garber called the decision a “historic day … for soccer in America.” A final deal to grant the franchise to Beckham’s investment group could be several months away though, sources close to the negotiations said, with a stadium location and financing still requiring approval from the MLS board for his team to become the 22nd club of the top U.S. professional soccer league. “There’s going to be a few bumps along the way, but we’re going to make the team in Miami not just the best team in America, we’re going to take the team global,” Beckham told a reception for city leaders at Miami’s performing arts center on Tuesday night.