Becks to Galaxy

[bubbrubbhoya]

David Beckham is coming to the USA. Anyone out there think this has a chance to be a watershed moment in US Soccer? Will people start paying attention? Will we ever be good (both MLS and US Soccer)? Does anyone in HoyaTalk care?

[AustinHoya03]

bubbrubbhoya said:

David Beckham is coming to the USA. Anyone out there think this has a chance to be a watershed moment in US Soccer? Will people start paying attention? Will we ever be good (both MLS and US Soccer)? Does anyone in HoyaTalk care?

No. No. No/Yes. And sort of.

Jordan playing for the Wiz wasn't a watershed moment for the NBA -- I don't think a Beckham past the height of his career will do much for MLS.

[DFW HOYA]

bubbrubbhoya said:

Anyone out there think this has a chance to be a watershed moment in US Soccer? Will people start paying attention? Will we ever be good (both MLS and US Soccer)? Does anyone in HoyaTalk care?

No, no, yes, and a few.

Celebrity signings don't advance the sport. The Cosmos once signed the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, Werner Roth, and Pele and the results were fleeting. No surprise that Beckham would sign with LA instead of, say, Columbus, because he wants the media attention. The US is the only place in the western world where he can walk around unnoticed and outside of the club scene in Hollywood, that figures to remain the same.

Soccer can compete in the future but US Soccer has to get past FIFA's patrician attitude that "we're the best sport in the world so you Americans should care" attitude. Let it grow organically. And if soccer never becomes more than the 5th or 6th most popular sport, be happy at 5th or 6th and make it the best it can be.

It was said recently that there is an element of FIFA doesn't really want soccer to catch on in the US, Africa, and China, because if it did the current European/South American powers would never stand a chance. Not to worry in the US, for now.

[Boz]

I'm not a soccer fanatic, but I'm interested and I do think this is a great move for the league. Both the player and the city. Beckham doesn't have to be the best player in the world anymore (not sure if he ever was anyway, just reputed to be), but he's still pretty damn good. No, not a watershed moment, but a big moment.

I'm not sure how in the hell MLS can afford this contract, though.

What's the over/under on the end of the Becks-Posh Spice marriage now that they're in LA? I don't care if they're worldwide, they weren't Hollywood. Now they are. I give them less than a year after they move here.

[EasyEd]

Who cares?

[Gold Hoya]

dfw said:

Celebrity signings don't advance the sport. The Cosmos once signed the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, Werner Roth, and Pele and the results were fleeting.

Other than Pele, who are these people?

I guess that kind of proves easyed's point.

ed said:

Who cares?

[hoyarooter]

On behalf of Los Angeles, my reaction to the arrival of Beck Spice is:

zzzzzzzzzzz

I hope the Galaxy will be happy with the extra 1000 people that attend Galaxy games in order to see Becks bend it.

[SFHoya99]

The is a collosal waste of a lot of money.

Beckham isn't even a guy you would go see play, like Ronaldo was at his peak, or someone like that. The amount of money is insane -- and when MLS goes under, remember that the Beckham contract cost them a few years of solvency.

[Bando]

Most of his contract is endorsement deals, so I don't think it's that bank breaking for the Galaxy.

[tgo]

dfw said:

[Celebrity signings don't advance the sport. The Cosmos once signed the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, Werner Roth, and Pele and the results were fleeting.

the reason the cosmos died were because of poor management and over expansion, they had no business having so many teams so quickly. also there was not a good product on the field, the cosmos had the best players in the world and they played against guys who were lucky to start in college at a time when us college soccer couldnt hold a candle to the talent level today.

For those who dont remember, the Cosmos were regularly getting more than 70,000 paying customers per game at Giants Stadium. that is an incredible number of people to show up for a regular soccer game.

for those who dont know about the Cosmos, check out this movie ESPN did on them. I am by no means a soccer guy but i found it interesting especially since i was too young at the time to remember too many details.
www.reel.com/movie.asp?MID=142183&Tab=reviews&CID=13

[HealyHoya]

The Cosmos example is somewhat instructive but far from predictive.

First, that was over thirty years ago -- things change. College football, college basketball, the NBA, and NFL have all grown exponentially in that time and pose huges challenges for the MLS.

Look at Gretzky going to the LA Kings. He helped bump the Kings attendance and merchandise sales but his impact wasn't profound on a league-wide or nationwide basis and that was for a North American sport. (I'm sure someone with even a passing interest in hockey can provide better commentary...).

Next, as to this being anything like Jordan playing in Europe...that's being too kind to Becks. Becks ain't Jordan. Becks has never been the best player in the world and is far, far, far from being a player even legitimately discussed as being one of the best to ever play the game (a la Jordan). Becks is more like Mark Price...a nice set-up man, makes players around him better, controls the game well, plays OK (not great) in big games...

$250 million? We need to know more...how much from the Galaxy? MLS? Addidas? Other sponsors? Guaranteed money? Incentive based? Length of contract? etc.

Becks is also looking out for himself...call him the English Tiki...this guy has movie-star looks, a tabloid ready-made wife and is looking the end of his career square in the face...Hollywood here I come...

[Locker]

In an era of globalization, when you can sell jerseys and television rights to every corner of the world, if you get the chance the sign the most famous athlete in the world, you do it.

This was a no-brainer for MLS and U.S. soccer.

[2ndRyan]

the kids who played youth soccer in the '80's appeared to have moved on to the NFL not the MSL in terms of rooting interest. I too reflect on the Pele precedent and wonder why it will be different.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

I think as far as a money stand point the move made great sense for the MLS. Great for mercendising and increased attendance. Obviously he's not the best player and he's past his prime but he's not completely washed up. However he is one of the most recognizable sports figures in the World. He is one player who the American Public knows because besides beign a sports star he's become a pop icon.

The only thing that dissapoints me is the amount of money he's going to be paid. In general i don't have a problem with athletes being paid large sums of money. But when a rookie on the league will only make 11,000 dollars a year it's kinda sad to see one person get paid that much.

Do i think that this move is going to change everything. No of course not. But i don't think it's going to hurt. It will help a little and it's a start. I think US soccer is progressing well. College soccer is improving. I don't think the MLS will compete with other top leagues until the US has a solid developmental youth league and are able to keep the top talent from fleeing to europe.

[JimmyHoya]

In short...no.