David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

Apparently the deal is worth $250 MILLION over 5 seasons. How is that possible? I've been to MLS games - the seats are empty.

[url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070111/ap_on_sp_so_ne/soc_beckham_galaxy_4]David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy - Yahoo! News[/url]

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

It's thought to be possible because Beckham was brought in to fill those seats. I'm not sure this is supposed to work during Beckham's contract but if they can draw in more fans to the game. Couple that with the youth soccer movement and you might see soccer gaining in relevance even more in the next 5-10 years.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=724Skinsfan;269352]It's thought to be possible because Beckham was brought in to fill those seats. I'm not sure this is supposed to work during Beckham's contract but if they can draw in more fans to the game. Couple that with the youth soccer movement and you might see soccer gaining in relevance even more in the next 5-10 years.[/QUOTE]


250 Million Dollars? I mean yeah, he'll draw some interest....but not that type of interest. Do they think we're going to see MLS games on ABC/NBC and crap like that now becuase of this guy...I really dont think so. Whoever made this decision should be fired 10 times over.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

Fired? I f*cking shoot them.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=Gmanc711;269360]250 Million Dollars? I mean yeah, he'll draw some interest....but not that type of interest. Do they think we're going to see MLS games on ABC/NBC and crap like that now becuase of this guy...I really dont think so. Whoever made this decision should be fired 10 times over.[/QUOTE]

Well, for the first time in the league, they have a tv deal. I believe with ESPN. I know they just put that rule in this year to make it so they have 1 player on each team who doesn't count against the cap. (I think the United traded for another)

Could be interesting to see, I've always liked the World Cup, but never really gotten into the MLS. I hope they step up their level of play and start putting a decent product on the field.

At this point, I really wish the MLS would go after some of the Brazilian starts. It doesn't even have to be a Ronaldhino or a Ronaldo, they could go get Robinho and I'd be fine with that. He's one of the most exciting players in the world. However, I wouldn't mind seeing guys like Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, Christiano Ronaldo or Ronaldhino in the US at all.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

I don't know the rules for MLS contracts, but I have to imagine that the entire $250 M is not guaranteed.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

That contract is heavily laced with endorsements. Along with the new rule about 1 player not counting against the cap, I imagine the structure being the maximum salary from the MLS, and endorsements covering the rest. $1 million a week is not too shabby. Real told him to stick it...and it looks like he did well for himself.

This will set a precedent to see some of the aging European superstars come to America for one final hurrah. Ronaldo is on the verge of that. Considering he's put on a few lbs from his heyday. Should bring the level of the MLS up a bit.

I think the MLS's following will strengthen a bit with this move and an updated TV Deal (they've had a TV deal before, but now they get paid to be on TV). Should be an interesting season coming up, with the Galaxy games being a focal point on ESPN2.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

It is the best thing to happen to American soccer since Pele played for the NY Cosmos.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

I am very leary of this move--it reminds me of how the old NASL did things, and they folded.

They need home grown talent, soccer-only stadiums, and proper loca promotion and support. The dumbest thing is the way the league ignores inner city folk, particularly recent and past immigrants from Latin America. They seem to mainly be aiming at the soccer mom crowd in the NYC area--that's one market, but there are tons of other fans the league is missing.

That being said, it will be hard, no matter what, to really make the league work. In the US, a good athlete (your typical multi-sport high school athlete) does not go into soccer. Why would you when it's so much easier to get scholarship money in football, basketball, and baseball? Plus, if you have any shot at the big three, say because you can run a 4.2 40 or something, why would you choose soccer? The chance at a serious payday is much better elsewhere. Therefore, unlike in other countries, the good athletes will never go into soccer, unless they have some special reason, like Claudio Reyna who was raised in Argentina (I believe...).

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

its not only ticket sales that will increase, people will be buying beckham jerseys all over the world and mls will net some of that profit. theres a rule in mls that each team can have 1 player that doesnt count against the cap, so that big stars can come over. i like this move, we will see what happens. i think beckham will be appearing in movies and tv shows shortly

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

250 million for 5 years. That is insane. I wish I was that good at soccer.

50 mill a year??!?! WTF?

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=BigSKINBauer;269487]250 million for 5 years. That is insane. I wish I was that good at soccer.

50 mill a year??!?! WTF?[/QUOTE]

Well it includes endorsements. Plus the owner of the Galaxy is loaded, makes Snyder looks like a pauper.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

*Yawn*

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=drew54;269490]*Yawn*[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. :rolleyes:

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

It would be nice to see the MLS gain some traction, if for no other reason than DC has a dynastic team. Let's go united!

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

i hate soccer, but would go just to see his wife:)

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

I played soccer as a kid and think its more fun to play then watch. But I do like watching the U.S in the world cup. Just on the odd chance they might actually make us proud. :pffff: But I really haven’t cared about MLS up to this point. But now that the Galaxy has Beckom I’ll probaly start to glance there way every now and then while reading the sports page and maybe go to a game our two. I defiantly think it’s a good move for the league.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

as a huge fan of soccer, i would say this move is truely to put butts in the seats. beckahm is a good player but not great. he is one of the most noticed athletes in the world and kids love him , it will draw alot of attention and fan base.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

Soccer? What is that?

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=charlielyons;269547]as a huge fan of soccer, i would say this move is truely to put butts in the seats. beckahm is a good player but not great. he is one of the most noticed athletes in the world and kids love him , it will draw alot of attention and fan base.[/QUOTE]

Yep. Beckham is definitely on the downside of his career. It's a total publicity move -- a good one though.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=JWsleep;269468]I am very leary of this move--it reminds me of how the old NASL did things, and they folded.

They need home grown talent, soccer-only stadiums, and proper loca promotion and support. The dumbest thing is the way the league ignores inner city folk, particularly recent and past immigrants from Latin America. They seem to mainly be aiming at the soccer mom crowd in the NYC area--that's one market, but there are tons of other fans the league is missing.[/QUOTE]
Here in DC, the league totally caters to the Immigrant population...On any given night, I'm willing to bet that over 1/2 the crowd is of Latin descent. It also helps that they play at RFK, which is very Metro friendly. And once the new ownership (hence how Beckham got his contract, the guy who owns the Galaxy, just sold the United to a bunch of Dukies) gets a stadium deal, it'll be a soccer only stadium that will totally rock.

The league has been around 10+ years, and has been successful. It's time to broaden the horizon, and signing Beckham will not only give the league global exposure, it'll bring more money into the league, to be able to develop homegrown talent.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[quote=charlielyons;269547]as a huge fan of soccer, i would say this move is truely to put butts in the seats. beckahm is a good player but not great. he is one of the most noticed athletes in the world and kids love him , it will draw alot of attention and fan base.[/quote]

I don't think it will...at least long term.

Professional soccer is just boring to Americans. We have the NFL and many other sports we'd prefer to watch. If bringing Pele to New York in the 70s didn't put soccer on the map, nothing will.

This may excite people who are already soccer fans, but it won't gain many if any new fans.

Beckham may become a celebrity in America because of his looks and his wife, much like an American Idol winner or actor...but he won't do anything for the sport.


They try and try, but soccer will never catch on big in this country.

I even gave it a chance when we had the World Cup in what, '94? We had an exciting (fun) team with Alexi Lalas, Coby Jones, Tony Meola and some others, but the games just bored me. The field is SO huge and most of the game was like watching a punt-fest in REAL football...just one team kicking the ball way down the field only to have the other team do it. Then, after a 90-minute scoreless tie, we go to a "overtime" where the clock runs backwards and may never end. Then, the announcer wakes you up with "GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!" and you see guys running around like their shorts are on fire. Later on the news, you hear about the drunken riots and the fires set in the streets in England and Germany because the USA won a game.

It's a great sport for kids to play and for other nations without the athletic talent and diversity that America has...but I'll stick with REAL football.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

^^Actually American football isn't real football, its American football.


And I agree most Americans wont catch on to soccer, which is a shame.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=Buster;269659]It's a great sport for kids to play and for other nations without the athletic talent and diversity that America has...but I'll stick with REAL football.[/QUOTE]

Come on, dude ... America is not the only country with talent and diversity. In fact, we don't dominate ANY sports internationally.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=BDBohnzie;269644]Here in DC, the league totally caters to the Immigrant population...On any given night, I'm willing to bet that over 1/2 the crowd is of Latin descent. It also helps that they play at RFK, which is very Metro friendly. And once the new ownership (hence how Beckham got his contract, the guy who owns the Galaxy, just sold the United to a bunch of Dukies) gets a stadium deal, it'll be a soccer only stadium that will totally rock.

The league has been around 10+ years, and has been successful. It's time to broaden the horizon, and signing Beckham will not only give the league global exposure, it'll bring more money into the league, to be able to develop homegrown talent.[/QUOTE]

That's good to hear, BD. In NYC, it seems they went the other way with the "NY/NJ Metrostars". But now that they are the "Redbulls" perhaps they'll begin to tap into new markets. Plus, they are supposed to be building a soccer only stadium near Newark, in a pretty industrial area. It's very accessible by public transport, so hopefully, that will help.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

Oh, yeah--Buster, can't say I agree with your "talent and diversity" comment. Other countries are already catching up in Basketball, which is very popular world wide; we didn't win the International baseball thing last year; we didn't get the gold medal in Hockey. And the odds of us EVER winning a soccer world cup are slim to none. So we're the best at American Football. And guess what? Australia is best at Aussie rules Football. And Ireland is best at Irish rules. Etc.

So you don't like soccer, fine. But to say the sport's popularity is somehow due to lack of talent and diversity is just wrong.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

thats wrong dude...kinda funny talking about sticking with real football ,, well what some call soccer is actually the REAL FOOTball...its annoying how even though u seem to know nothing about football your quick to label it for kids and nations without athletic talent... i know nothing about u but i could just as easily call u a typical ignorant redneck...

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

almost pointless to try and discuss soccer here. everytime a soccer thread has come up someone goes on and bashes it for whatever reasons (wussy sport, only foreigners are good, whatever)

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

[QUOTE=Big C;269767]almost pointless to try and discuss soccer here. everytime a soccer thread has come up someone goes on and bashes it for whatever reasons (wussy sport, only foreigners are good, whatever)[/QUOTE]

Exactly why I didn't post the story when it broke.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

If this guy wasn't overpaid, past his prime, and soccer didn't suck, i might actually care.

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

^^Wow, how about next time take some time and read the two posts before you....

Re: David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy
 

I'm a big DC United fan, and although I agree Beckham is past his prime and was likely overpaid in this deal, it is great for United and MLS in general. His signing will put some new fans in seats, but it likely won't be guys like Buster: 27 year olds from places like PA who don't have a stadium nearby. The biggest impact will be with increased marketing revenue, attracting new young fans and immigrant fans, and attracting better talent from overseas.

Overnight the demand and the price for advertising in the MLS rose drastically. That is great for a young league with revenue-sharing. Second, tons of kids will go see Beckham and other MLS teams at least once and will most likely enjoy the experience. MLS is still a kid-friendly league, just don't sit near the Barra Brava or La Norte at RFK...

Even more important is the fact that Beckham brings credibility to the MLS and will hopefully attract immigrant fans who until now preferred watching their home leagues on satellite TV. This is only bolstered by the fact that additional international talent will likely follow Beckham to the MLS. Rumor is that Ronaldo could come play for the Metroscum.

As for the new DC ownership, I am pretty excited about their real estate backgrounds and connections with DC. Would love to see a new SSS at Poplar Point in 09. A guy at my firm was recently nominated by Fenty to head the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, so I jokingly told him I'd do pro bono work for him to get the stadium plan moving along...