FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – David Beckham may be considering building his Major League Soccer team's stadium in Broward County, according to the Miami Herald.
According to a report, Broward County Commissioner Stacy Ritter says Beckham's group "expressed willingness to speak about a soccer-specific stadium." A potential site, according to Ritter, would be county-owned land near the BB&T Center.
Tadd Schwarts released a statement Friday: "The Beckham team has taken a pause to weigh alternatives regarding next steps. We believe the public is very passionate about soccer and deserves a world class MLS team."
Beckham's group has been pushing for land in downtown Miami, but commissioners in Miami-Dade County have rejected proposals for the two sites they were most interested in -- a PortMiami site and a boat slip near the AmericanAirlines Arena. A commissioner recently proposed an area of land near Marlins Park.
Mayor Carlos Gimenez told Local 10 News on Thursday he is still committed to working with the soccer star.
"It's up to them," he said. "They still want to be in Miami-Dade County. I'm waiting for them to tell us what they want to do. I told them I was more than willing to help them. I think it'd be great. I think the Beckham brand and also Major League Soccer -- this town really wants soccer."
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler didn't have much to say about the report when asked early Friday morning, saying he is content with his city's soccer team.
"The Strikers have been a wonderful hometown team," he said. "I enjoy working with that team. ... They seem to be getting better every year. Whatever happens down the road I can't reject, but I'll tell you we're happy with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers."