Miami commissioners delay vote on Beckham soccer deal

MIAMI (AP) – Miami city commissioners have pushed back a vote following hours of public comment for and against David Beckham’s latest soccer stadium plan.

At the end of Thursday’s meeting, commissioners delayed a decision until Wednesday to put a measure on the November ballot to replace the city-owned Melreese Country Club.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy star and business partner Jorge Mas pitched their current plan Thursday night for their Major League Soccer franchise. The group’s latest proposal calls for a 28,000-seat stadium, hotel rooms, restaurants, shops, a new park and public soccer fields near Miami International Airport.

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2018, file photo, David Beckham poses for a photo at an event where it was announced that Major League Soccer is bringing an expansion team to Miami, in Miami. Beckham's latest soccer plan for Miami might be decided by the city's voters. His target: A golf course. Beckham is scheduled to appear before the Miami city commission next week, as he and his partners aim to move closer to picking a stadium location for their Major League Soccer franchise.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2018, file photo, David Beckham poses for a photo at an event where it was announced that Major League Soccer is bringing an expansion team to Miami, in Miami. Beckham's latest soccer plan for Miami might be decided by the city's voters. His target: A golf course. Beckham is scheduled to appear before the Miami city commission next week, as he and his partners aim to move closer to picking a stadium location for their Major League Soccer franchise.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

FILE – In this Jan. 29, 2018, file photo, David Beckham poses for a photo at an event where it was announced that Major League Soccer is bringing an expansion team to Miami, in Miami. Beckham’s latest soccer plan for Miami might be decided by the city’s voters. His target: A golf course. Beckham is scheduled to appear before the Miami city commission next week, as he and his partners aim to move closer to picking a stadium location for their Major League Soccer franchise.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

If commissioners approve, voters would decide on Nov. 6 whether to change the city’s charter and allow what would be a no-bid deal to lease 73 acres (30 hectares) at the Melreese site.

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2018, file photo, David Beckham speaks at an event where it was announced that Major League Soccer is bringing an expansion team to Miami, in Miami. Beckham's latest soccer plan for Miami might be decided by the city's voters. His target: A golf course. Beckham is scheduled to appear before the Miami city commission next week, as he and his partners aim to move closer to picking a stadium location for their Major League Soccer franchise.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2018, file photo, David Beckham speaks at an event where it was announced that Major League Soccer is bringing an expansion team to Miami, in Miami. Beckham's latest soccer plan for Miami might be decided by the city's voters. His target: A golf course. Beckham is scheduled to appear before the Miami city commission next week, as he and his partners aim to move closer to picking a stadium location for their Major League Soccer franchise.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

FILE – In this Jan. 29, 2018, file photo, David Beckham speaks at an event where it was announced that Major League Soccer is bringing an expansion team to Miami, in Miami. Beckham’s latest soccer plan for Miami might be decided by the city’s voters. His target: A golf course. Beckham is scheduled to appear before the Miami city commission next week, as he and his partners aim to move closer to picking a stadium location for their Major League Soccer franchise.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

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