CARL JOHAN CALLEMAN » If it works, it works. If not,

MIAMI -- David Beckham hopped onto the stage, his back to sun-splashed Biscayne Bay, and a pack of photographers jostled for position as admirers cheered and chanted. "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. The deal will be finalized when the former English national team captain can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium. Beckham attended a news conference with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez to discuss their progress. "This is an exciting time, and something were really looking forward to bringing to Miami," Beckham told a crowd of more than 300 people on a downtown museum plaza. The event was frequently interrupted by cheers for Beckham, whos popular around the world and especially in celebrity-smitten Miami. The retired soccer icon has scouted possible stadium sites and is seeking investors to assist with startup costs such as construction and player acquisitions. Among those who might become involved is Miami Heat star LeBron James, who has had recent conversations with Beckham about bringing a team to Miami. "LeBron has become a friend over the last few years," Beckham said. "We spoke about this on the business side and also as friends. Hes very interested in this." Beckham, looking the part of a businessman in a suit and tie, said city officials have promised the teams stadium will be downtown, which is his preference. "We dont want public funding," Beckham said to applause. "We will fund the stadium ourselves. We have worked very hard to get to this stage where we can fund the stadium ourselves. We want to create a football club that is the peoples football club." Gimenez -- who at one point referred to Beckham as "Beckman" -- said theres political support for a plan. "We started our negotiations last week," Gimenez said. "We have to get rolling. Theres a time crunch. We are willing partners. We are very grateful that Mr. Beckham and MLS have chosen Miami as the site for their next franchise. Were going to do all in our power to make sure we get the stadium built in the right place as quickly as possible." New teams have been announced for 2015 in New York City and Orlando, Fla., increasing the leagues total to 21. Beckham declined to offer a timetable regarding when Miami might play its first game, but a likely target is 2017. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain star has the right to an expansion team at a discount fee of $25 million. MLSs Miami Fusion played in Fort Lauderdale from 1998-01 before folding because of poor attendance, but this time, Beckhams star power could make a difference. "Miami is a vibrant city with a lot of passion," he said. "I know this city is ready for football -- soccer -- this time around. I know this is going to be successful." The crowd at the news conference included a throng of chanting, singing fans. "People here love this sport," Garber said. "We together have no doubt it will be a very successful MLS team." Beckham said he also wants to start a childrens soccer academy in Miami. Shareholders in the team will include Beckhams business partner Simon Fuller, the "American Idol" creator who is the driving force in franchise negotiations, and Marcelo Claure, president and CEO of Brightstar Corp. Beckham said hell finalize his group of investors over the next couple of months. He declined to say what players he would like to bring to the team. "We have a list," he said. "We want to bring some of the best players in football to Miami to play on this team. Ive seen what happens to teams when you bring great players in. Im talking about the Heat." That brought cheers from the crowd. James and the Heat have won the past two NBA titles. Beckham laughingly ruled out hiring his former manager, Alex Ferguson, to coach the team, but said he has ideas regarding that search, as well. "I kind of know what makes a great coach and what doesnt," he said. "Well have a good coach here." Beckham praised the growth in recent of years of MLS and said hes optimistic about the leagues direction. Regular-season attendance increased from an average of 15,504 in 2006 to a record 18,807 in 2012 before dropping slightly this season to 18,594. "Ive seen the change in this league," Beckham said. "Ive seen the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona come over to America. They want to play against the MLS teams. Theyre interested in this league, and thats whats changing." Adidas NMD R1 White .C. - Blair Jones scored the eventual winner in the third period as the Abbotsford Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Oil Barons 3-2 in American Hockey League action on Friday. Wholesale NMD . The post-season, Pierce said repeatedly, is no time to panic. And the Heat, apparently, are nothing to fear. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/adidas-nmd-mens-clearance.html . - Houston defensive end J. Adidas NMD R1 Cheap . Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday. Adidas NMD R1 Japan Black . The club announced Friday that Mauro Biello will be kept on as an assistant to coach Jesse Marsch when the Impact join the MLS in 2012.DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi says hes looking forward to the teams annual fishing tournament this weekend, when he hopes to end a slump. "Its a lot of fun," Misi said. "But I seem to get on a boat that doesnt catch too many fish. Hopefully this year that will change." With the season three months away, the Dolphins are casting about for ways to improve their defence, which is why Misi found himself at middle linebacker during Mondays off-season practice. He spent his first four NFL seasons mostly at strong-side linebacker, but the Miami coaching staff believes Misi might be better suited to clogging up the middle for a team that ranked 24th in rushing defence and 21st in yards allowed in 2013. The switch is an experiment instigated when the Dolphins began off-season workouts. Misi swapped spots with Dannell Ellerbe, who moved from the middle to the outside in Miamis 4-3 scheme. Philip Wheeler remains at weak-side linebacker, where second-year pro Jelani Jenkins could challenge him for playing time. Linebacker was considered a weakness last year for the Dolphins, but they didnt address the area with a major acquisition in free agency or the draft, and now coach Joe Philbin is looking at the position switch as a possible remedy. The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Misi was considered the best of the three starting linebackers last season. He won praise for his sound fundamentals, sure tackling and run-stopping skills. "One of the things Ive liked about him is when we do a year-end video cutup and show examples of how to take on a block, tackle properly and pursue to the ball, he shows up on a lot of those cuts," Philbin said. "He plays the right way. And he has great leadership qualities. So we want to take a look at him in the interior. Well see how he adjusts to that position and relaates to the other players and the defence in general.dddddddddddd So far he has done a nice job." Defensive co-ordinator Kevin Coyle said the switch is a work in progress, but he likes the idea of Misi in the middle. "He has such a physical presence," Coyle said. "When Koa hits you, you stay hit for a while. I cant tell you how many times weve used Koa as the example of, This is how you compete each and every snap on defence." Misi has been used at both outside linebacker spots and played a little defensive end early in his career, so hes accustomed to position changes. "Since I got here Ive been switching positions," he said. "Im always open to try something new. If it works, it works. If not, well go back to the way things were." Ellerbe said his attitude is the same. He played four seasons at outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens before replacing an injured Ray Lewis in the middle during their Super Bowl championship season in 2012. He moved back to the middle when he joined the Dolphins last year. "Whatever will help the team, Im down for," Ellerbe said. "It doesnt matter where we play." In the middle, Misi said, he must adjust to the heavier traffic and change the way he reads keys. In addition, playing in the middle -- the mike position -- requires that the laid-back Misi assume more of a leadership role. "Mike is the leader of the defence," he said. "It forces you to be more vocal. Youve got to make all the calls, and you have to know pretty much the whole defence to get in the right spot to make a play." The experiment will likely continue the rest of this week at least, with two more practices scheduled. "I cant commit today to say that its a done deal," Coyle said, "but certainly I like what were seeing." ' ' '