The proposal to build an MLS stadium in Miami for David Beckham's ownership group, Miami Beckham United, is in danger of falling apart, according to Tim Leiweke, who is leading the negotiations for MBU.
In an interview with the Miami Herald's editorial board, Leiweke detailed how negotiations with the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County to acquire a plot of land adjacent to Marlins Park are progressing, and that the plan to transfer the land to the Miami-Dade School Board in order to avoid paying property taxes remains on track. But six private property owners are making "unrealistic" financial demands, thus preventing MBU from acquiring all the property that is necessary.
"They can absolutely blow this deal up, and they probably will blow this deal up," Leiweke told the Herald. "We're willing to overpay. We just don't want to be the stupidest guys on the face of the earth."
A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that MBU is aiming to finalize the deal by Dec. 5, when MBU is slated to present the details to the MLS Board of Governors. If there is no deal in place, it leaves the purchase option Beckham exercised back in February of 2014 for a discounted rate of $25 million in a perilous state.
"If we don't have a deal by that MLS board meeting it's up to the commissioner and the board to decide what happens to this option," said Leiweke. "But I am worried. It's been a long time since this has been discussed and we've been unable to come to them with a viable plan that works."
A source with knowledge of the negotiations with the property owners indicated that of the six parcels that MBU is attempting to acquire, "Three are negotiating and being reasonable, the other three are not."
Leiweke told the Herald that MBU has a backup plan if the Marlins site falls through, but it's unclear to what extent that site is dependent on acquiring private land. It also seems unlikely that a deal can be put in place prior to the Dec. 5 meeting.
A source with knowledge of Beckham's option confirmed that it is contingent on him being in Miami. The source indicated that "no discussions have taken place" with regard to Beckham deciding to place his team in another city.
"In the real world there are always negotiations," said the source. "A whole new agreement would have to be drawn up for him to have a team in another city."