Report: Beckham set to unveil MLS franchise in Miami on Monday

An event is scheduled in downtown Miami on Monday to unveil David Beckham's long-awaited MLS team, a person with knowledge of the situation told Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.

Should the announcement go ahead as planned, it would mark the end of Beckham's four-year fight for a franchise in South Florida.

A spokesman for Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Gimenez - who granted Beckham's request to build a 25,000-capacity stadium in Overtown - told the Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks and Michelle Kaufman that the mayor will attend an event Monday.

The team's name and logo are expected to be revealed at the function.

Back in 2013, the former Manchester United midfielder exercised his $25-million option to buy a MLS franchise. Beckham was able to pay such a low fee because he negotiated the option into his initial contract with the LA Galaxy in 2007.

But it wasn't all rosy. Beckham and his partners faced numerous legal obstacles as they searched for a location to build a stadium, losing bids for property near Miami's famous waterfront and Marlins Park.

A deal was finally reached to build the $200-million stadium on land in Miami's Overtown area. The MLS Board of Governors also approved of Beckham's group after a routine background check. Beckham is expected to hold a minority stake.

A landowner near the proposed site is still suing the group, and neighbors in the area have organized a petition against the zoning approvals required to construct the stadium.

The franchise would be Miami's second entry in Major League Soccer following the failure of the Miami Fusion.