Football Talk - Beckham to buy MLS franchise - 10/03/09
David Beckham plans to exercise a clause in his contract allowing him to buy a Major League Soccer franchise when he finally hangs up his boots.
The midfielder agreed a dual contract on Friday that will allow him to play for both Milan and LA Galaxy over the coming months. And he is already making plans for when his Galaxy contract ends in 2011.
"I have the right to own an MLS franchise, which I will action immediately after I have stopped playing," Beckham said. Beckham reiterated his "commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about" and said his family will remain in LA.
There have long been rumours that Beckham has a clause in his Galaxy contract allowing him the first right of refusal on an MLS franchise at the end of his career. This is the first time any of the parties involved have confirmed the existence of the clause.
If Beckham goes ahead with his plan to buy a franchise, the MLS would partner him with a patron with major financial clout. Vancouver, Ottawa, Portland and St Louis are in the running for the 2011 places. Las Vegas and San Diego, who have long expressed an interest in joining MLS and are close to Beckham's LA base, would be more likely destinations.
