Developing story: Some details below haven't been independently confirmed. We'll update as new reporting comes in.

In 2007, in Los Angeles, David Beckham signed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer to play for the LA Galaxy, securing a clause that let him buy an expansion team for $25 million after his playing days ended.[2]

Beckham had pushed for the option during negotiations, seeing a chance to grow soccer in the United States.[2] The deal locked in the low price, far below what new teams would later cost.[2] He held onto the right as he finished his career, first with AC Milan on loan, then back in LA through 2012.[9]

2013

David Beckham retired from professional soccer in April 2013, ending a 20-year run that included stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Galaxy.[9] Days later, he sat down with his business manager, Simon Fuller, to map out the next move: buying that MLS expansion team in Miami.[1][2] Beckham eyed South Florida for its weather, population, and untapped sports market.[2]

The talks moved fast. Beckham assembled a group called Miami Beckham United, pulling in investors to cover costs beyond his stake.[1] He aimed to build from scratch, handling stadium deals and league approvals.[2] By year's end, the group had lined up potential sites and partners.[15]

"You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it."

— David Beckham[17]

February 5, 2014

Major League Soccer announced on a Thursday morning that Beckham's group had activated the 2007 clause, awarding an expansion franchise to Miami Beckham United.[1][2] The team would join the league in 2017, but only if the owners secured stadium financing by then.[1] Beckham called it a step toward bringing top-level soccer to one of America's most dynamic cities.[15]

Behind the scenes, challenges piled up. The group scouted land near downtown Miami and pitched to city officials.[13] Beckham traveled between London and Miami, meeting investors and refining plans.[2] His 10 to 15 percent ownership stake anchored the effort.[1]

2014 to 2017

Stadium talks dragged through 2014 and into 2015. Beckham's group proposed a site at Miami Freedom Park, but local politics slowed progress.[12] The league pushed back the debut to 2018, then 2019, as funding gaps widened.[11] Investors came and went; early backers like SoftBank's Masayoshi Son joined through Marcelo Claure, a telecom executive.[1]

Beckham kept the project alive, using his name to draw sponsors and fans.[2] By 2016, Jorge Mas, a Cuban-American developer, stepped in as a lead investor alongside his brother Jose.[1] They took majority control, holding over 60 percent with Claure.[1] Beckham's initial $25 million outlay stayed his core commitment.[1]

The delays tested everyone. Beckham told associates the vision remained, even as costs climbed past $200 million for the group.[1] League commissioners urged a breakthrough on the venue.[15]

January 29, 2018

The MLS board approved Inter Miami CF as the 25th team on a Monday in New York.[1][2][3] Play would start in 2020 at a temporary site while the permanent stadium took shape.[1] Beckham, in a statement, said the approval marked years of effort paying off.[13]

Mas and Claure led operations, with Beckham as president and visible owner.[11] The group locked in 131 acres near Miami International Airport for development, though details on the land deal stayed private.[6]

September 5, 2018

Inter Miami CF revealed its name, black-and-pink crest, and heron logo at an event in Miami.[3] Beckham stood on stage, holding the crest and announcing the club to a crowd of supporters.[3] The colors nodded to Miami's art scene and sunsets.[12]

Preparations ramped up. The team hired coaches and scouted players, aiming for a roster mix of locals and internationals.[11] Beckham focused on global reach, partnering with his business arm, DRJB Holdings, for early sponsorships.[4]

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."

— David Beckham[18]

2020

Inter Miami CF entered the MLS in March 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic shut down play for months.[1][2] The team played home games at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, a stopgap 20 miles north of Miami.[11] Beckham attended matches when borders allowed, watching from stands packed with new fans.[13]

The club finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with 18 losses in 23 games.[11] Still, attendance averaged over 10,000 per match, a solid start for an expansion side.[2] Beckham's group invested another $50 million or so in operations and youth academies.[1]

2021

On September 17, 2021, the Mas brothers and Beckham bought out Claure and Son, consolidating control.[1][3] Jorge Mas became managing owner, with Beckham retaining his minority share.[1] The deal valued the franchise at around $600 million, though exact terms stayed under wraps.[2]

Stadium plans advanced at Miami Freedom Park. The city approved a 25,000-seat venue, set for 2026.[1] Beckham's DRJB Holdings expanded ties, landing deals with Bowers & Wilkins for audio, Stella Artois for events, and Shark Ninja for products.[4] These fed into Inter Miami's branding, blending Beckham's personal ventures with the club.[3]

2023

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami on July 15, 2023, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.[1][2] The announcement sent the club's Instagram followers from 1 million to over 17 million in weeks.[1] Jersey sales topped $200 million worldwide in the first year.[1]

Messi scored 10 goals in seven Leagues Cup games, carrying Inter Miami to its first trophy in August.[1][2] The win drew record TV audiences and sold-out crowds.[10] Beckham watched from the sidelines, later saying the signing changed everything.[2]

The Messi effect lifted the team's value to $1 billion by 2024.[1][2] Beckham's original $25 million stake, now tied to 10-15 percent ownership, stood at $105 million to $157 million.[1] DRJB Holdings reported nearly $100 million in revenue that year, fueled by club links and deals like one with AliExpress.[3]

"I have always believed that if you want to achieve anything special in life you have to work, work, and then work some more."

— David Beckham[19]

Inter Miami reached the U.S. Open Cup final in 2023 but fell to Houston Dynamo.[11] The regular season ended with a playoff miss, though Messi's presence packed stadiums.[2] Beckham's empire extended beyond the field: DB Ventures, through DRJB, managed his brand portfolio, turning soccer into a broader business.[4]

By 2024, the franchise hit $1 billion in valuation, with Mas and Claure holding over 60 percent.[1] Stadium construction started at Miami Freedom Park, targeting a 2026 or 2027 opener.[1] Beckham attended new, posing with Messi and owners.[10]

The club's rise drew eyes to Beckham's full operation. DRJB Holdings pulled in profits from endorsements and events, with Inter Miami as the centerpiece.[3][4] Messi added stars like Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, building a veteran core.[11]

DateEvent
2007David Beckham signed a contract with MLS upon joining LA Galaxy, negotiating an option to own an expansion team at a discounted franchise fee of $25 million.[2]
2013Beckham retired from playing in April and began discussions with his business manager Simon Fuller about purchasing an MLS expansion team in Miami.[1][2]
2014-02-05MLS announced that Beckham exercised his option, with his investment group Miami Beckham United to own an expansion franchise in Miami pending stadium financing.[1][2]
2018-01-29MLS officially approved the expansion team in Miami, named Inter Miami CF, set to begin play in 2020.[1][2][3]
2018-09-05Inter Miami CF officially unveiled its name, crest, and colors, with David Beckham announcing the milestone.[3]
2020Inter Miami CF began competing in the MLS season after delays due to lacking a stadium and infrastructure.[1][2]
2021-09-17Jorge and Jose Mas brothers, along with David Beckham, finalized the buyout of Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son, increasing their ownership stake in Inter Miami CF.[1][3]
2023Inter Miami CF signed Lionel Messi, leading to their first major trophy win in the Leagues Cup and transforming the club's success.[1][2]

What we couldn't confirm

Reports placed Beckham's payment at $25 million for a 10 percent stake in 2014, with Jorge Mas and Marcelo Claure buying majority control for $300 million to $400 million in 2021, including a minority investment from SoftBank's Masayoshi Son through Claure and early backing from Sprint Corporation; the full ownership group poured in about $200 million to $250 million from 2013 to 2020, and the Mas brothers put up around $350 million for their 60 percent share, pushing Beckham's return to 4,400 percent on a $1.1 billion valuation, while Messi's contract reportedly carried equity and a route to ownership, Inter Miami took the MLS title in December 2025, the club now values over $1.3 billion, and secured 131 acres of prime land near Miami International Airport.

The stadium at Miami Freedom Park nears completion, with its 2026 or 2027 debut set to test whether Inter Miami can sustain the surge Messi brought.

Sources

  1. [1] David Beckham's $11 Billion Inter Miami Empire: The Messi Effect — arthnova.com
  2. [2] How David Beckham Turned $25 Million into a Billion - FootyRoom — footyroom.co
  3. [3] David Beckham's company raked in nearly $100 million last year — fortune.com
  4. [4] David Beckham keeps earning" England legend and Inter Miami... — goal.com
  5. [5] How BECKHAM Became a BILLIONAIRE Thanks to MLS... - YouTube — youtube.com
  6. [6] How Beckham Built a Soccer Empire in Miami - YouTube — youtube.com
  7. [7] David Beckham's business empire has golden year after Netflix... — cityam.com
  8. [8] How David Beckham Turned $25M Into a $1.2 Billion Soccer... — youtube.com
  9. [9] Reported David Beckham - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org
  10. [10] Inter Miami CF and David Beckham's role: from foundation to glory in... — leaguescup.com
  11. [11] Reported Inter Miami CF - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org
  12. [12] About Inter Miami CF — intermiamicf.com
  13. [13] After 13 years, David Beckham's dream comes true. Inter Miami calls... — foxsports.com
  14. [14] Inter Miami CF: Founding and History | PDF - Scribd — scribd.com
  15. [15] Ten years in the making: A timeline of David Beckham's Miami MLS... — onefootball.com
  16. [16] The Crazy Story of Inter Miami - YouTube — youtube.com
  17. [17] 21 Motivational Quotes by David Beckham, English former footballer — motivationl.com
  18. [18] Top 100 David Beckham Quotes (2026 Update) - QuoteFancy — quotefancy.com
  19. [19] David Beckham Quote: “I have always believed that if you want to... — quotefancy.com
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Frequently asked questions

What year did David Beckham retire from professional soccer?

David Beckham retired from professional soccer in April 2013.

What was the fixed price David Beckham secured to buy an expansion team?

David Beckham secured a clause that let him buy an expansion team for $25 million.

With what team did David Beckham first play in Major League Soccer?

David Beckham first played in Major League Soccer with the LA Galaxy.

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