Miami business body opposes Becks' plans for 'port-side' MLS stadium

A local group are reportedly leading an opposition against England football legend David Beckham's plans of playing his new Major League Soccer (MLS) team at an eye-catching state-of-the-art stadium at Miami's port.

The Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain player is looking to build a 25000-capacity stadium, with his preferred place the PortMiami because of its prominent location and views of the downtown skyline.

However, Sport24 reports that an influential group striving to safeguard 'the long-term success of the port' has issued an open letter railing against Beckham's stadium plans, saying thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investment could be at risk.

Miami Seaport Alliance said in a letter that although they support a soccer franchise in Miami, there are several suitable sites that would benefit from a stadium, except for PortMiami, adding that a stadium at the port would be risky to jobs, cruise and cargo operations, and the port's 'promising future'.

The alliance, which counts cruise lines and cargo carriers among its members, added that even the hint of a disruptive, non-port operation such as a stadium could put thousands of jobs at risk.

Beckham's plans for a Miami team in MLS have been generally well received locally, although the side is not expected to take to the pitch until 2017 at the earliest, the report added.