David Beckham, the internationally renowned soccer icon and co-owner of Inter Miami CF, has declared Las Vegas as a prime candidate for Major League Soccer’s expansion. His assessment comes as no surprise considering his vested interest and remarkable success in MLS and global soccer.
Beckham asserted his viewpoint while attending the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, noting that Las Vegas offers a ripe opportunity for MLS, given the city’s burgeoning sports scene and the remarkable success of other professional teams like the NHL Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights’ narrative of an incredible run to the Stanley Cup Finals is testament to the city’s embrace of sporting ventures and the community’s hunger for hometown heroes.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, along with husband to fashion designer Victoria Beckham, reflected on the shift in Las Vegas’ landscape. Long recognized for its casinos and nightlife, the city has rapidly evolved into a sports mecca. This transformation is evident with Southern Nevada’s recent forays into professional sports, hosting the Golden Knights and welcoming the relocation of the San Antonio Stars, rebranded as the Las Vegas Aces.
David Beckham’s insights resonate with the broader trend of sports infusing new life into Las Vegas, a trend bolstered by the momentous relocation of the Oakland Raiders, who brought NFL action to the heart of the Nevada desert. Despite the challenges and controversies that have shadowed the team, including the tragic incident involving former player Henry Ruggs III, the appetite for professional sports in the city remains undiminished.
The city’s sports revolution doesn’t end with football and hockey. Reports indicate that Major League Baseball is also casting its gaze towards the neon lights of Las Vegas, with the Oakland A’s exploring stadium sites and engaging with the community, aiming to craft a new chapter in their storied history.
This sporting renaissance has revived conversations within MLS corridors about the potential of Las Vegas to host a franchise, a sentiment previously echoed by MLS Commissioner Don Garber. While the city already has a foothold in the soccer scene with the Las Vegas Lights FC in the USL Championship, Beckham’s endorsement could foreshadow the league’s leap into an already sports-rich desert oasis.
