If you have been following the ongoing saga of David Beckham and his quest to place an MLS team back in Miami, Florida, you are well aware of the struggles that he has encountered. Stadium proposals being turned down. Government officials playing hardball, and little momentum has been gained since his public rally last year. Instead of continuing to deal with such lunacy, I propose that David Beckham and his prospective ownership group buy the New York Red Bulls. Sound far-fetched? Maybe. Though, let’s speculate for the sake of fun shall we?
Becks is a global icon and a marketers dream. It only makes sense that he owns a team in a glamour market, in a city where his brand will carry significant weight. In America, only Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Miami fit that criterion. MLS already has two franchises in Los Angeles with the Galaxy and LAFC so no go there. Chicago is already spoken for with the Fire, and I do not envision the market supporting two team soccer clubs. Miami has been a fiasco for years. The Miami Fusion folded in 2001 after only 4 seasons in the league. Last year, Becks and his ownership group held a public rally to garner support but they have since encountered an endless slew of obstacles. Instead of banging your head against the wall dealing with the political red tape and nonsense in Miami, David, why not look to New York?
New York may have a team available for the right price. Sports Illustrated’s, Grant Wahl, reported last October that the New York Red Bulls are not “officially for sale” but an offer of approximately $300 million would likely seal the deal. Such a price would include an already constructed stadium, a top notch training ground, one of the premiere youth academies in the country, and a rabid fan base desperately seeking stability. How is this not the perfect marriage?
Numbers
Is $300 million a fair asking price? Let’s do some math…
As I stated previously, the Red Bulls have a state of the art training facility and stadium already in place. Two massive headaches Becks and his group would no longer have to worry about. Orlando City is in the midst of building a 19,600 seat stadium in Florida for a reported cost of $115 million. For numbers sake, let’s say a similar venue in Miami would cost around $120 million, and take into account the reported $50 million the Becks group was going to pay simply for the land to build the stadium, we are now in excess of $170 million.
Every top class franchise deserves a top class training ground, yes? Well an example of such a facility would be the Red Bull training grounds in Hanover, New Jersey, which cost around $6 million. Throw in the $25 million expansion fee Becks was guaranteed as part of his MLS contract, it looks like his group is in for over $200 million.
Considering the $300 million reported price tag for RBNY, is the $200 million automatically a better deal? Not necessarily. Rather than dealing with the hullaballoo of starting a team from scratch and jumping through political hoops, Becks could hit the ground running in New Jersey. Everything is set and in place. The fan base would be reinvigorated and potential sponsorship partners will clamor for the opportunity to work with Beckham SC.
Still Not Convinced?
Beckham has an affinity for New York. If you know anything about the man, he has always spoken wonderfully and with sincerity about the area. It was even rumored that his son, Brooklyn was given the name because he was conceived there. While that is not true, it’s a fun little tidbit nonetheless. According to Beck’s wife, Victoria, the origin of the name stems from…
“I had always liked the name Brooke and then we suddenly thought about Brooklyn. I’d always like it as a place – it’s very multi-cultural, very grounded. And it was only afterward that I realized how appropriate it was because it was in New York that I found out I was pregnant and where David came after the World Cup.” – Victoria Beckham
Furthermore, who doesn’t love a compelling story? What is more compelling in sports than a genuine rivalry? With that in mind answer these questions…
- What club team is Becks most synonymous with?
- What mega soccer club co-owns New York City FC?
If you do not know the answer to either I’ll help; Manchester United is answer one. Manchester City is answer two. The two clubs form one of the biggest rivalries in English football. Re-brand the new club “New York United” and make their kits red and white. Done!
“Doesn’t MLS already have D.C. United?”
Sure, but so what?! English football has plenty of “United” teams besides Manchester. New Castle, Sheffield, Rotherham, Scunthorpe, Cambridge, Carlisle, Oxford, just to name a few, thus the move isn’t unprecedented. If “United” isn’t your cup of tea, how about New York Empire SC?
Whether you prefer United or Empire, either one is a winning proposition. Everyone wins in this equation. Becks has his team in a glamour city. MLS has a budding rivalry in its most important market that ESPN and Fox Sports can exploit. Red Bull can exit stage left and focus on their German Bundesliga team, while still collecting a hefty but fair price in return. The Metrostars / Red Bulls supporters will finally have an ownership group that cares. What else could you ask for? You’re welcome, Mister Beckham. Now go and make it happen!
