Miami put up a warm welcome for David Beckham as he arrived to explore the idea of starting a Major League Soccer franchise in the city.

Beckham has an option from his contract with LA Galaxy to own a club in the league for a set fee of $25million.

And the red carpet was rolled out for Beckham as he arrived by private jet, before being driven to a Miami Heat basketball game in an SUV flanked by two police escorts.

The 38-year-old sat courtside for the fifth game of the NBA playoffs, between the Heat and the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Arena, as a guest of Bolivian billionaire Marcelo Claure, who is reportedly keen to be involved in an MLS franchise with Beckham.

Around 75 local football fans stood outside the arena for three hours in the rain to welcome Beckham and show him their support for an MLS team in Miami, but they were left disappointed as he didn't stop to chat.

Following the game, Beckham went with Claure to Japanese restaurant Zuma but refused to answer any questions when he left.