Beckham to MLS

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

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.

Agreed. I'd go so far as to say that Beckham won't even be the best player on the LA Galaxy if Landon Donovan stays there - at least not by as wide a margin some people are expecting.

[Dion]

The signing of Beckham is being comapred to the New York Cosmos signing of soccer legend Pele back in the 70's. David views this as a challenge and hopes to increase interest in soccer in North America. He says it's not about the money but one has to wonder when you look at the money he is to be paid.

[edn88]

Originally Posted by Dion

The signing of Beckham is being comapred to the New York Cosmos signing of soccer legend Pele back in the 70's. David views this as a challenge and hopes to increase interest in soccer in North America. He says it's not about the money but one has to wonder when you look at the money he is to be paid.

I am being cynical when I say this, but I think that the only way you will increase soccer's poplularity in the USA is to move everyone from Europe over here. American TV will want to have a ball that glows when it is kicked or something equally stupid.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by edn88

I am being cynical when I say this, but I think that the only way you will increase soccer's poplularity in the USA is to move everyone from Europe over here. American TV will want to have a ball that glows when it is kicked or something equally stupid.

I tend to agree. They tried the ill fated NASL with Pele in the 70's and it didn't do much for soccer in the States. It isn't going to happen IMO.

From what i'm hearing Beckham is going to be a marketing bonanza.

[Jagger]

I've seen Beckham play live many times, usually playing for Man U against Liverpool at Anfield. Good crosser, great deadball specialist, great image and agent, pretty pedestrian for most of the game however.

He is getting paid an obscene amount of money simply due to his image, and good luck to him. He is well past his prime now but will bring much needed focus to the MLS. This might put the MLS above the NHL on the national scene in the US, given that ESPN will likely show much more interest now. Good move by the MLS but what a ridiculous amount of money it took. I don't see this as being the saviour of soccer in NA though.

[OilersBaby]

cant wait to check him out. i remember watching donovan play for SJ a few years ago, that was awesome. Those soccer games are so much fun to watch ...almost as much fun as hockey. YAY!

[MLSfan22]

Originally Posted by SpitFire40

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

Home Depot Center in Carson, California

http://www.homedepotcenter.com/venue...tompageid=6726

[MLSfan22]

Originally Posted by Jagger

Good move by the MLS but what a ridiculous amount of money it took.

Much of it is for the image rights which Beckham himself controls now. The Galaxy will only pay about $9 mil a year, half of which will come from their new jersey sponsors. They will make the rest back with extra ticket and merchandise sales. Even if they somehow lose couple of million dollars in this deal it would not be the end of the league. The amount would be a drop in the bucket for a billionair like Phil Anschutz.

[MLSfan22]

Originally Posted by Jagger

Good move by the MLS but what a ridiculous amount of money it took.

Much of it is for the image rights which Beckham himself controls now. The Galaxy will only pay about $9 mil a year, half of which will come from their new jersey sponsors. They will make the rest back with extra ticket and merchandise sales. Even if they somehow lose couple of million dollars in this deal it would not be the end of the league. The amount would be a drop in the bucket for a billionair like Phil Anschutz.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by edn88

I am being cynical when I say this, but I think that the only way you will increase soccer's poplularity in the USA is to move everyone from Europe over here. American TV will want to have a ball that glows when it is kicked or something equally stupid.

Not Europe. There is a large Mexican and Hispanic population in the US now. This demographic is growing and loves soccer.

[White Snow Bear]

Originally Posted by SpitFire40

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

Here's the soccer forum


www.bigsoccer.com/forum/index.php

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Aww crap. Becks has his tin foil hat on to communicate with Tom Cruise apparently.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Aww crap. Becks has his tin foil hat on to communicate with Tom Cruise apparently.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes

Well he's definitely not being paid for his intelligence.

Makes sense though, considering Victoria Beckham says she wants to be an actress in an upcoming scientology movie that Cruise is making.

[@theCBE]

Interesting article about who is really paying Beckham's Monster salary

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...ot=mls&cc=5901

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by MLSfan22

Home Depot Center in Carson, California

http://www.homedepotcenter.com/venue...tompageid=6726

Wow, I wasn't aware they had built a stadium there. I was out in LA for a couple of years in the early '90's and worked at a refinery about a mile west of there.

Not the greatest neighborhood...Carson borders Compton on the north and is a hotbed for Samoan and Hispanic gangs.

[mrdeeds]

Originally Posted by @theCBE

Interesting article about who is really paying Beckham's Monster salary

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...ot=mls&cc=5901

Good article.

[MLSfan22]

Beckham signing is already starting to pay dividend. The Galaxy sold more than 5,000 season tickets within 3 days of the announcement. Toronto FC sold another 3,500 which pushed TFC's total to over 10,500, and Beckham will play there only once.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=462467

[KTown]

Originally Posted by SpitFire40

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

I'd love to see Beckham do this again. I could not stop laughing after this kick, when it happened. Definately the highlight of Euro 2004. Nothing better, than watching England choke on the world stage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7kCIemwhsA

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by KTown

Nothing better, than watching England choke on the world stage.

Umm.. Do you, he of the Czech flag flying in his signature, really want to be bringing up recent footballing chokes?

the Czech Republic suffering one of the shock defeats of the tournament. A 2:0 loss to Ghana. The score would have been far more lopsided had it not been for a stunning Petr Cech - the only Czech player on Saturday displaying brilliance on the pitch. Had he not stopped four or five clear chances, it would have been a blow-out.

http://www.radio.cz/en/article/80216

The Czechs entered as the team ranked second highest in FIFA, the world's soccer governing body.... The country's "best-ever soccer selection," as they were repeatedly labeled in local media, further boosted optimism after they swept away the U.S. squad in the first game.
But, surprisingly, that was it for stunning performances.
Instead of celebrating advancement to the playoff stage, the Czech players fell on their knees after the game against Italy.

http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2...-world-cup.php

[Thunderball]

I'm really not a fan of Beckham, but if he can elevate the MLS into the Big 4, prompt a serious soccer league in North America, and bring the prospect of Calgary getting a team in the next 15 years, then I'll be extremely happy.

The MLS is ran infinitely better than NASL was (owners like Skalbania, anyone?), and this one is gonna last. I just hope the TV theory works out in our favor... (Toronto gets team, team is heavily televised, popularity grows throughout country, league desires expansion, other Canadian markets (Van & Mtl) ante up, boosters and big money types in Calgary say us too, league expands to Calgary, team is heavily televised due to Toronto factor and league popularity in States, team actually succeeds)

Big reason teams fail in Calgary (hockey notwithstanding) are perception of inferior league, lack of proper facilities, and perhaps the biggest, lack of live TV coverage/media reports.