MIAMI – It's been four years in the making. Now it's a reality.
Soccer legend David Beckham and his Miami Beckham United partners were officially awarded a Major League Soccer franchise Monday.
The announcement came with much fanfare. About an hour before the announcement, a group of soccer fans marched through downtown Miami holding a sign that read, "MLS Miami. Ready for glory," before waiting in line to be allowed inside the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
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MLS Commissioner Don Garber promised that this team will be "deeply connected" with its fans.
"This is your club, this is your city and the world is going to be watching what you do to make this one of the great teams in the world," Garber said.
Beckham and Garber praised the tireless effort of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and recently elected Miami Mayor Francis Suarez for helping to make soccer in Miami a reality.
Gimenez heaped his own praise upon Beckham, saying that the former LA Galaxy star could have backed out after years of delays and squabbling about stadium sites. Instead, Beckham believed in Miami and remained committed to the community.
"I promise you the team that we bring into this league will be one of the best teams," Beckham said, before adding, "The best team."
South Florida previously had an MLS team from 1998-2001, but it folded because of poor attendance. The Miami Fusion played their home games in Fort Lauderdale after the team couldn't reach an agreement with the city on a lease at the old Orange Bowl.
This time around, Beckham's group and Garber were committed to making sure that the rebirth of MLS in South Florida was rooted in Miami.
"There was only one city for me," Beckham said.
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Miami-Dade Commissioner Don Garber, David Beckham and Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez attend a press conference to announce their plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami.JOHANNESBERG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 19: Prince William speaks to David Beckham (C) and Prince Harry (R) at an FA reception at the Saxon Hotel on June 19, 2010 in Johannesberg, South Africa. (Photo by Luca Ghidoni - Pool/Getty Images)TURIN, ITALY - JANUARY 10: David Beckham of AC Milan celebrates victory after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 10, 2010 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 18: David Beckham of PSG is tossed in the air by team mates after the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Stade Brestois 29 at Parc des Princes on May 18, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)In 2001, David Beckham of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United FA Barclaycard Premiership match at Ewood Park, Blackburn.CARSON, CA - AUGUST 26: David Beckham #23 of Los Angeles Galaxy hugs Juninho #19 of Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS match against FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center on August 26, 2012 in Carson, California. The Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)5 Feb 2000: David Beckham of Manchester United in action during the FA Carling Premiership match against Coventry played at Od Trafford in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the game 3-2. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Mason /AllsportNEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 31: David Beckham and host Jimmy Fallon visit "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center on January 31, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon)MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 17: David Beckham of Real Madrid celebrates with his children (L to R) Cruz, Brooklyn and Romeo after Real won the Primera Liga title after the match between Real Madrid and Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on June 17, 2007 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)MANCHESTER - SEPTEMBER 3: David Beckham of Manchester United with his new boots showing his two son's names Brooklyn and Romeo during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford in Manchester on September 3, 2002. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Manchester United won the match 1-0.MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: David Beckham of AC Milan is chased by Francesco Pisano of Cagliari during the Serie A match between Milan and Cagliari at the Stadio Meazza on February 22, 2009 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by New Press/Getty Images)27 Oct 1998: Gary Neville and David Beckham of Manchester United during training at The Cliff in Manchester, England. \ Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey /AllsportNANJING, CHINA - JUNE 18: (CHINA OUT) David Beckham arrives at Nanjing Lukou International Airport on June 18, 2013 in Nanjing, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)David Beckham of Manchester United falls to the floor in agony after picking up a serious injury during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match in 2002.David Beckham of Real Madrid is photographed at the beginning of his last press conference as a Real player at the club's Valdebebas grounds on June 14, 2007 in Madrid, Spain.Victoria Beckham, Colin Farrell and David Beckham pose backstage at The 2003 MTV Movie Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on May 31, 2003 in Los Angeles, California.3 Mar 1999: World Cup rivals Diego Simeone of Inter Milan and David Beckham of Manchester United shake hands after the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match at the Old Trafford in Manchester, England. United won 2-0. \ Mandatory Credit: BenRadford /AllsportDavid Beckham of England and teamates are put through their paces by Ivan Carminati during the teams training session at the Frankenstadion on June 14, 2006 in Nuremberg, Germany.David Beckham of PSG jumps on the goal scorer and team mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Olympique de Marseille at Parc des Princes on February 24, 2013 in Paris, France.David Beckham watches on during the mens singles second round match between Jordan Thompson of Australia and Sam Querry of The United States on day four of the 2017 Aegon Championships at Queens Club on June 22, 2017 in London, England.David Beckham attends the opening event of the Breitling Boutique on June 3, 2015 in Madrid, Spain.Gill Brook greets David Beckham in the centre court royal box on day five of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2017 in London, England.Andy Murray (from left), David Beckham, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Denise Lewis pose for a photocall at No.10 Downing Street on April 20, 2009 in London, England.Footballer David Beckham kicks goals with stars from the Australian football codes at Sydney Harbour November 26, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.David Beckham #23 of the MLS All-Stars shoots a corner kick against the Manchester United during the first half of the MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena on July 27, 2011 in Harrison, New Jersey.David Beckham of England down on the ground during the UEFA Euro 2004, Quarter Final match between Portugal and England at the Luz Stadium on June 24, 2004 in Lisbon, Portugal.Real Madrid and England footballer David Beckham promotes "Really Bend It Like Beckham", his first official training skills DVD, at the Virgin Megastore, Oxford Street on December 1, 2004 in London.Queen Elizabeth II meets David Beckham at a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate The Queen's Young Leaders programme and present awards to the first successful winners of the Commonwealth project on June 22, 2015 in London, England.David Beckham plays a 20 minutes match with kids during an event with Zinedine Zidane , ADIDAS, MLS W.O.R.K.S. and Fieldturf to kick off Footprint Fields Community Program at the Campus El Segundo Athletic Fields on July 11, 2009 in El Segundo, California.David Beckham attends the launch the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England.Footballer David Beckham arrives in the paddock before the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 8, 2007 in Northampton, England.LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: Soccer player David Beckham accepts the Legend Award and gets slimed onstage during Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2014 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on July 17, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)SKOPJE, MACEDONIA - SEPTEMBER 6: David Beckham of England celebrates his goal during the European Cup, Group 7 match between Macedonia and England on September 6, 2003 in the City Stadium in Skopje, Macedonia. (Photo by Jamie McDonald /Getty Images)MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 21: David Beckham of Real Madrid celebrates his goal during a Primera Liga match between Real Madrid and Cadiz at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on January 21, 2006 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)AMSTERDAM - AUGUST 4: David Beckham of Manchester United in action during the Pre-Season Amsterdam Tournament match between Manchester United and Parma played at the Amsterdam ArenA, in Amsterdam, Holland on August 4, 2002. Manchester United won the match 3-0. DIGITAL IMAGE. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)MAKHEWU, SWAZILAND - JUNE 07: In this handout image provided by UNICEF, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham meets Sebenelle, 14, in Makhewu, Swaziland, on June 7, 2016, who receives the 7 Fund support in management of malnutrition in HIV positive children. Beckham travelled to Swaziland to see how 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund is helping UNICEF to provide life-saving treatment, care and support to HIV-positive children. During his visit Beckham learnt how the worst drought in decades, now taking hold on vast swathes of Eastern and Southern Africa, is threatening to wreak havoc on the lives of children and families already made vulnerable by HIV. (Photo by UNICEF via Getty Images)DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 20: (FILE PHOTO) David Beckham of England looks on during the England training session at ADSL Stadium on May 20, 2003 in Durban, South Africa. On June 17, 2003 Manchester United agreed to sell the contractual rights of midfielder David Beckham to Real Madrid for $41.3 million U.S. (35 million Euros). According to reports Beckham will be in Madrid for a medical physical before he will officially introduced to the public as a member of Real Madrid on July 2. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)25 May 2001: England captain David Beckham scores from a freekick during the England v Mexico International Friendly played at Pride Park in Derby, England. England won the match 4-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Phil Cole /AllsportWASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) poses for photographs with the Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles Galaxy and their mid-fielder David Beckham in the East Room of the White House May 15, 2012 in Washington, DC. Players from the Galaxy also participated in a "Let's Move!" question and answer session with school-age sports fans and first lady Michelle Obama after the ceremony. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)LONDON - OCTOBER 16: Footballer David Beckham poses with children as he launches the new GO3 food range at Wembley Stadium on October 16, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Chef/tv personality Gordon Ramsayand soccer player David Beckham sit courtside during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on May 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Miami-Dade Commissioner Don Garber, David Beckham and Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez attend a press conference to announce their plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami.
Beckham, whose soccer career took him from Manchester United to Real Madrid before venturing stateside with the Galaxy in 2007, said there were times when he thought his dream wasn't going to happen.
"But I don't give up," Beckham said.
Beckham said he wants to bring the top players from Europe, but his focus is on bringing "homegrown talent" to Miami.
Gimenez vowed to work with Beckham "as best we can to ensure that your franchise is ready to play as soon as possible."
Fans chanted "Thank you Beckham" after the announcement.
"Four years we've been waiting for this," one soccer fan, Matthew Ramos, said. "What a great moment. What a great moment. … It's an amazing day."
Beckham's partners include Miami natives Jorge and Jose Mas and Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. The Mas brothers partnered with Beckham after their failed bid to purchase the Miami Marlins.
While Beckham is clearly the star here, the Mas brothers will be guiding the next steps.
"We're the largest Hispanic business in the country now from here in Miami," Jorge Mas said. "(I'm) born and bred here. The politicians are my friends, so I think it'll be easier for us to be able to transmit our vision and our dreams and make them a reality."
The team will now need to close on a county parcel to complete its stadium site in Overtown. Beckham's group will also need to request city zoning changes and a street closure.
"We decide whether or not we're going to approve it and under what conditions, and certainly in collaboration with the residents of the city of Miami," Suarez said.
Claure told Local 10 News that the team will begin playing in 2020 without a stadium, but that the team's home should be ready by 2021. He said the venue for 2020 remains to be determined but that there are plenty of options.
Will Manso came back home to South Florida when he joined Local 10 in March of 1999. During his time here, Will has kept busy by working in sports, news and he's even dabbled in entertainment. He is now Local 10's sports director and also enjoys the chance to serve as host for special shows on Local 10.
