Opponents to Beckham's stadium plan launch advertising campaign
Opponents of David Beckham's plan to build a soccer stadium on the waterfront in Miami have joined forces and launched an advertising campaign.
An alliance of shipping interests and a billionaire car dealer have gone to the newspapers with claims that a stadium would have a negative effect on Miami's role in the expansion of the Panama Canal.
"We cannot jeopardise well-paying jobs, like crane operators, longshore workers, and mechanics, for low-paying stadium jobs, such as concession sales," the Miami Seaport Alliance said in a full-page ad in the Miami Herald.
The opposing group is led by John Fox, former head of governmental affairs at Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and high-profile car dealer Norman Braman, the one-time owner of Philadelphia Eagles.
Former England and LA Galaxy star Beckham, 38, recently unveiled a blueprint for a 25,000-seat waterfront stadium - the development of which would cost an estimated $200m.
An advisor for the Beckham group, Neisen Kasdin, said: "The plan doesn't interfere with port operations. It will likely generate more revenue for the port in the shorter term than other concepts that have been discussed."
