MIAMI – Soccer legend David Beckham said the delayed launch of a Major League Soccer team in Miami has actually made the project stronger.
"It has been a process. It's been painful at times," Beckham told Local 10 News reporter Glenna Milberg in an exclusive interview Sunday. "I think the fact that it has taken this long, the fact that it's taken four years actually has worked as a positive."
Beckham said the delay has allowed him to get to know Miami better and better understand what fans want from their hometown soccer team.
"I've always believed in the project. That's why, for me, I never gave up," Beckham said. "I knew Miami was the city. I knew this was going to be special."
Although he doesn't live in Miami yet, he said he would be spending much of his time in the city. At noon on Monday, he said he expects to both officially receive his Major League Soccer franchise and reboot his team launch, after some "only-in-Miami" kind of lessons.
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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.
"There have been many (hurdles)," Beckham said. "I'm a persistent person, and I don't like to lose."
Those hurdles made many headlines, including those about a series of beautiful bayside stadium sites lost in controversy over public land use, South Florida-style politics and bureaucracy. Big name investors have also come and gone, but original investors Marcelo Claure and Simon Fuller have stuck with Beckham.
"One thing that kept me going, kept me persistent when people said it's not going to happen, said to move on, is the fan support I've had has been incredible," he told Milberg.
The MLS board of governors recently approved a new ownership group that aims to celebrate the team's first game in a new Overtown stadium in 2020.
"This is our site," he said. "This is a site we paid for. This is a site we plan on using. We've always said we want to be downtown. Coming into a city like Miami, I want to be a good neighbor. We'll have people with different opinions. We will address them here."
Beckham, Claure and new investors Jorge and Jose Mas will unveil their plans for the new team at the event Monday. The team's official colors are expected to be revealed.
The Mas brothers are the sons of Jorge Mas Canosa, who founded the Cuban-American National Foundation. Claure is the founder and CEO of Sprint.
"There is a lot of power behind it -- a lot of passion," Beckham said.
He has a star athlete's determination to win.
"I'm invested in this project," Beckham said.
If all goes as planned, thousands of fans will be in attendance the moment Beckham gets his Miami franchise.
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Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."
