The name for David Beckham's MLS franchise in Miami will be revealed "very soon," as well as the team's shield and colors, the former England star's business partner told the Miami Herald on Monday.
Beckham and MLS announced in January that the franchise would be coming to Miami, but nearly every detail about the club was unclear. There had been no definitive start date -- 2020 has been mentioned repeatedly -- as well as no team name, no logo, no colors, no coaching staff and no front-office personnel.
However, club co-owner Jorge Mas shed some much-needed light on the franchise Monday, telling the Herald that league owners had agreed upon a name, with the shield and colors soon to come.
"I think the name will be well received, frankly, the fans have picked it because we focus-grouped and the fans picked the name," Mas said. "This is the fans' team. It's a great name and the way we're going to unveil the name is very different from any unveiling of a name.
"It's not going to be at a site somewhere with us at a podium unveiling a name. That is not who we're going to do it, and I'll leave it at that."
Mas also revealed the team would begin play in 2020 at a temporary venue before moving to a new stadium in 2021.
However, doubts still surround the construction of a new facility. Just last week, city commissioners moved to delay the voting on the latest proposed plan for six days, with the group still not prepared to decide on the matter.
Mas said MLS has imposed a deadline for construction of a new stadium and called for a quick resolution to the current issues.
"We have to get a stadium decision on the ballot as quickly as possible because per the expansion agreement with MLS, I have to start construction by October of 2019," he said, adding he would be in "default" of his expansion agreement if the conditions were not met.
With the city's international flavor, Mas told the paper of his vision for a "global" franchise in South Florida.
"I want this team to showcase what's great about Miami," he said. "I want it to be the MLS' global team. Having the elements of our ownership group, of David Beckham, we have very ambitious plans for the team and type of players that will come here because it's the gateway to the Americas."
And he hinted a recent World Cup finalist has already shown interest in making the team his new home.
Speaking of runners-up Croatia, Mas said: "I liked their little checkered uniforms. And there's a player there who's extremely interested in coming to Miami -- a very high-profile player."