Beckham to MLS

[VANFLAMESFAN]

http://tsn.ca/soccer/news_story/?ID=191771&hubname=

Not shocking news, but interesting nonetheless.

[troutman]

Becks and Posh could not spell MLS if you spotted them the M and the L.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhvSFWvfMrk

[The Goon]

That's great! I was thinking of going to LA on vacation later this year, now I'll schedule it around a Galaxy game.

Fantastic news.

[edn88]

Did I read this right - $50Million a year for a guy that was benched from his National and league teams?

I know his name is big time, but wow. What are those MLS guys drinking?

[BlackEleven]

I didn't know there was that kind of money in the MLS. Wow.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by edn88

Did I read this right - $50Million a year for a guy that was benched from his National and league teams?

I know his name is big time, but wow. What are those MLS guys drinking?

I'll bet MLS is funding part of this - it's going ot be like Mansell Mania when Nigel Mansell came over from F1 to CART. Packed houses everywhere the Brit shows up. Might make MLS a legit destination for other soccer plaers to come over. Could be considered an investment because of this - unless Becks does something really stupid to ruin his "image".

[liamenator]

Wow.. That is a ridiculous amount of money thrown at a guy who is way past his prime. I get that he is a brand and that he will very likely give the MLS a level of exposure it has always craved but... wow.

Beckham is still a useful player.. and in the MLS he will obviously stand out.

But he never became the Messiah he was proclaimed to be. He was never among the World's elite. I'd say he had 0 years of elite play and maybe 3 years of "great" play... The rest was just... good. Sometimes very good.

No fault against him, he was never the one making the outrageous claims, but I have never understood the international love affair with the guy.

George said it Best:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/618154.stm

[VANFLAMESFAN]

It is a lot of money, but you know what?? the guy is gonna put butts in the seats and provide good press for this league. I was in Seattle when he was here as part of the Real-madrid-DC United game and the crowd went nuts when he was introduced and everytime he touched the ball. And the people that were sitting by the corner flag when he was about to kick a corner kick, ALL ON THEIR FEET, the cameras flashing like crazy, it was a surreal scene.

[Sylvanfan]

Looks like they're basically paying for the name in hopes of getting the league some interest and press. IIRC Lamar Hunt was a founder of the MLS, and he also founded the AFL. The AFL did some pretty odd things in it's day to try and get in the spotlight. After floundering for a lot of years the NFL eventually took them seriously and let those teams in. Perhaps they figure one guy who's well known may put some folks in the seats and that it could eventually lead to them attracting other big players down the road.

[Mango]

Bizzare. I thought he re-sign to stay with Real Madrid. I guess he and his wife are going to leave the British tabloids behind and give it a try with People and US.

Crazy. I almost can't believe this is true. Attendence is going to sky rocket in his first season. I definitely think he's going to do a lot for the league. Five years certainly is a long time and the money is outrageous...but will the pros out weigh the cons? In any case, Hollywood is just around the corner.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Should be good for NA football (soccer). Crazy price, but they're basically paying him for branding and very little of it is for performance.

He still is a decent player and should help his team. I'm excited to watch an LA game now. This and Toronto getting a team has certainly peaked my interest.

[bluejays]

I'm not a huge soccer fan by any stretch, but nobody really comes close to passing it consistantly accurate like Beckham. That price is unbelieveable though. Anyway, is the LA team going to be playing Toronto this year? This has peaked my interest a bit now to watch my first ever live game.

[Resolute 14]

It will be interesting to see if Beckham can do for soccer what Gretzky did for hockey.

[Igottago]

I've always wanted the MLS to succeed and this is great news for the league and soccer fans in North America. As much as I think Becks is and always has been overrated, this is a great marketing opportunity for the game on this side of the pond. Good news too for Toronto FC, Becks should be a draw to every stadium he plays in next season.

[edn88]

Originally Posted by Mango

Attendence is going to sky rocket in his first season.

Only if Posh shows up naked.

[KevanGuy]

ROADTRIP!!! I imagine it's probably going to be pretty tough to get Galaxy tickets this year but I'm going to do what it takes to see him live. Pretty unique opportunity for us on this side of the pond.

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

ROADTRIP!!! I imagine it's probably going to be pretty tough to get Galaxy tickets this year but I'm going to do what it takes to see him live. Pretty unique opportunity for us on this side of the pond.

I completely agree.

Apparently, there was a spike in calls today to Toronto FC, the newest addition to the league.

[SpitFire40]

Where do the Galaxy play? What venue? I'd love to see a world class athlete like Beckham play.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by fleury

I'm not a huge soccer fan by any stretch, but nobody really comes close to passing it consistantly accurate like Beckham.

I don't know about that. In fact I think it would be hard for Becks to break the top 50 passers in modern soccer.
In his best years, he was top 10 but he's no wear near the top anymore.

[socalwingfan]

The Home Depot Center where the Galaxy play is a very cool place. I've been there a couple of times with a friend who is hard-core soccer fan and I was very impressed with the layout. Very fan friendly