are you kidding me??? he Beckham tsunami landed on Major League Soccer shores Thursday, a once-in-a-lifetime lightning strike that promises to significantly inflate ticket sales, publicity and general awareness in the 12-year-old operation. News that the illustrious David Beckham has joined MLS is easily the most significant announcement in or around the league since Alan Rothenberg and his money men first revealed details of the operation prior to its 1996 launch. PhilCole/GettyImages David Beckham will garner attention for his various hairstyles as well as for his play. "This is a huge step forward for the league, that we can attract someone of that stature means so much," New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. Beckham's departure from global heavyweight Real Madrid and subsequent presence in America is certain to deliver an unrivaled wave of publicity not just for MLS, but for domestic soccer generally. This side of a highly implausible U.S. World Cup championship, nothing could even come close to creating such buzz. Freddy Adu's trade, by far the most high profile personnel swap in MLS history, merited just a small headline or even less in most U.S. dailies. By comparison, Beckham's signing, announced late Thursday morning, will generate large-type headlines throughout the world. And it will expose the league to people and places that otherwise wouldn't know Major League Soccer from a major motion picture. "Beckham is global," Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger said, "LA will have the chance to go play in other countries and have other opportunities, and the rest of us will hopefully try to do the same thing." Beckham's value in terms of raw ticket sales can't be overstated. One MLS official, when alerted of Beckham's signature, immediately scratched two matches off his 2007 "worry" list in terms of selling seats. He knew two sellouts are all but guaranteed (when the Galaxy comes to town) without the club's sales staff breaking much of a sweat. Every MLS general manager and sales director immediately reached for the 2007 schedule (still unofficial) to see which club would be lucky enough to land the former England captain's debut match in August. (That, by the way, surely will be the toughest ticket ever in MLS history, far pricier on the street than any previous MLS Cup match or All-Star contest. Imagine that: MLS is suddenly prominent on every serious ticket scalper's radar.) Nor can the midfielder's value in terms of publicity be overestimated. A day before the signing, at the mere whisper of Beckham possibly inching closer to joining MLS, league spokesman Dan Courtemanche was besieged with queries from domestic and foreign media. Courtemanche says he previously was alerted that, if Beckham were to sign with MLS, SNTV would file a daily report, available worldwide, from wherever the ballyhooed Englander landed. (Think of SNTV as a sort of global, electronic version of the Associated Press.) New England's Nicol also suggested that Beckham's signature on an MLS contract can help attract younger, aspiring Beckhams to join the 13-team league. He says MLS just became a more attractive, viable option for the world's A-plus young talent. "Younger players are going to be more willing to look at the league now," Nicol said. "And when one does it, others are more willing to try it after that. Hopefully, there are more Beckhams to come." Nicol also said Beckham can raise the standard of league play. Not because he's so singularly talented, but because of the ripple effect. "Everybody is going to be giving their all every single time on the field against David Beckham," he said. "So, every game will be more competitive. The league is very competitive anyway, and if it's possible, will get even more so." Steve Davis is a Dallas-based freelance writer who covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He can be reached at BigTexSoccer@yahoo.com.
I'd be curious to see how much of the $250 mil Beckham will actually receive. I'm sure a large portion of that figure is for the rights to Bekham's marketability. I know MLS contracts are quite different than NFL, NBA, etc. contracts. I think the move was a smart one on the part of the Galaxy and the MLS. It will definitely help to promote soccer in our country. Everyone knows who Beckham is, and ticket sales etc. will definitely increase, as a result of this. Soccer is so popular in every part of the world, but consistently seems to suffer here in the US. Youth soccer here is slowly starting to build up and we're seeing stronger players than before, but we're still way behind the rest of the world in this sport. Hopefully this move will help to further propel the sport.
I believe the 250 mil is what he will receive, overall including his current sponsorship deals and such He is worth every penny..because he will bring in alot of cash being a man united fan (The team that made him) i know the full front of his profitability
This kind of thing makes me sick. There are so many people doing important work (nurses etc) who get paid a pittance, and people raising money for cancer charitys, special care baby units etc, and here are athletes who are way over paid and for what really?
I think THEY think that bringing him here will start a soccer frenzy here i the states. Just WONT happen, not many people in the states care about soccer!! No offense towards those who like soccer, but here in the states, its FEW and far in between!
500 seasons tickets were sold for toronto fc yesterday after the announcement just because becks will be making one appearance here in toronto with the galaxy at the end of the summer.
Im guessing you will see more GIRL soccer fans attending games than guys............................ and why do you think that is?
I would be willing to bet that the majority of the US does not have cable access to Fox Soccer Channel or whatever other channel shows MLS games. There are a certain number of people in the US (including myself) that will watch football whether or not Beckham is here or not, and most likely those are the people who will still be watching. I think that Beckham is a very talented guy, but I would still rather watch Premier League games.
very well said, I agree with you 100%! I still think they are going to TRY and push his face in the US hoping to attract a new audience, but......... who wouldnt he is a money machine.
