Editor’s Note: This is a modified excerpt from “The Rise of Major League Soccer” (May 6, Lyons Press), by regular columnists Rick Burton and Norm O’Reilly.

Why is soccer suddenly more interesting to many North Americans, when for years the league trailed American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey and even auto racing?

The answer begins with the 1994 FIFA World Cup, then accelerates because of David Beckham and his agent, Simon Fuller. Beckham gives full credit to Fuller for including a contractual clause to purchase an MLS club for $25 million in his five-year MLS contract to play with the LA Galaxy signed in 2007.

Although not formally announced until 2018, the potential for Inter Miami CF began with the contract signing providing Beckham an option for club ownership in the future. Only in late 2013, after Beckham’s retirement, was an ownership group announcement made by MLS that included Beckham, Fuller, the Mas brothers (Jorge and Jose), Miami-based business leaders, and others who later dropped out. Beckham activated his option in February 2014, and discussions with municipal officials for a new stadium in Miami were soon initiated.

In 2018, Inter Miami CF became the 25th MLS club and launched during the 2020 MLS season. Fuller was bought out by Beckham in 2019, meaning an ownership syndicate of three (Mas, Beckham, and Mas)........

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