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Friday mid-morning had some breaking news about the Beckham/MLS stadium:
#BREAKING City of Miami, Beckham group agree to build MLS stadium next to Marlins Park pic.twitter.com/L41fTAQMtA
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) July 17, 2015
BUT, before Canes fans get too excited, I have to burst your bubble:
Breaking. Marcelo Claure: We want a stadium next to Marlins Park. Mayor Reglado: We're excited. Talks begin. No UM for now.
— Doug Hanks (@doug_hanks) July 17, 2015
City of Miami says Beckham group still talking to UM. But UM needs at least 40,000 seats (not 25,000) and other space/ancillary needs met.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 17, 2015
... Stadium at 40,000 seats would obviously be substantially more expensive. So UM would need to help financially to re-enter picture.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 17, 2015
Dolphins remain of mindset to ask UM for financial buyout of contract even if UM joined Beckham. Another obstacle. Fins want UM at Sun Life.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 17, 2015
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Beckham Group tells me they're still in dialogue with UM; they are preparing proposal for OB site. Moving forward,no done deal yet obviously</p>— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/flasportsbuzz/status/622081459638022144">July 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
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So, the deal as currently composed would have an MLS ONLY stadium on the site next to Marlins Park. That's the deal the Beckham group has obtained. BUT, The University of Miami could re-enter the picture, if they're willing/able to be financially involved with this stadium project.
This announced stadium deal does 2 things, in my mind:
1. It gives Beckham the location that works for his team (thought not the downtown stadium he previously said was the only way Soccer in Miami would work).
2. By securing a deal without UM involved, it now puts pressure on the University to ante up money for the additional 15,000 or so seating capacity, or miss out on the opportunity to move back to the heart of Dade County.
As has been the case throughout this process, expect future developments to come.
More as this story develops.