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DEL.ICIO.USBecks is coming; S’backs make big deal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The handshakes had barely come ungripped when the usual pilers-on (usually British, too) instantly declared that David Beckham’s new adventure in America will be an abject failure.
And you wonder why he wanted to leave home in the first place?
The deal between the former England captain and Real Madrid benchwarmer and the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday had barely been announced when doubters crawled out of the tabloid woodwork.
This perspective doubts Becks will be able to get Americans excited about the sport in a demonstrable way, after all these years of trying. It’s been nearly 30 years now since Pele left the Cosmos, and it’s doubtful anything will eclipse his presence here.
Beckham hits the Fruited Plain in August, settling in the perfect place and the perfect time to bank on his celebrity in the celebrity capital of the world. But he’ll be well-rewarded for enduring the Hades that is Hollywood: $250 million for five years. And the additional marketing, advertising and promotion dollars will be raining down even harder, with some of it spilling even into soccer coffers.
But Beckham could serve to rouse some badly needed interest in MLS, the soccer product. Even if it’s not entirely about soccer. Could it ramp up more big-time signings by other clubs — such as Ronaldo in New York? No threat of MLS becoming another rampant spendthrift NASL here — the “Beckham Rule” of acquiring players that blows the salary cap into another planetary system does have its limits.
Here’s Beckham’s official statement.
First thoughts on all this: I’m not ready to declare MLS officially a more significant player the world soccer map, because as a whole it lacks the quality and stature for all that. Beckham wants to lessen the soccer grind and bask in the glow of his fame as his career winds down. But at least the league will be in the spotlight like it never has before.
On the home front, the Silverbacks have traded Fabian Dawkins and Jason McLaughlin to Montreal for Mauricio Salles and Daniel Antoniuk. There are some serious goal-scorers crossing the border our way, in exchange for two of the brighter lights for Atlanta.
What do you think of these moves? Will Beckham really boost the product — and not just in terms of glamor — of MLS? Are the Silverbacks addressing their needs with this blockbuster? Can this help them get over the playoff hump?
On the surface, I’d say the jury’s out on both counts.
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By bw
January 11, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Beckham will definately shine some light on the MLS the question will be whether it will stick or not. The league can’t be defined on just one player, especially when most teams cannot afford to pay players this lucratively or it could cause the league to have some financial problems, but it will catch the attention of the media and fans and hopefully draw more big world class names to the MLS as well. I think it is a great step in the right direction for the MLS.
By RunningDog
January 11, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, by not making the MLS scene until August, his debut will likely be overshadowed by the NFL’s preseason and anticipation of college football. I do believe an earlier appearance would have made a splash, but like hockey in October and the NBA in November, most Americans will hardly be aware of the MLS’s existence after July.
By GT Baby
January 11, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
OH MY GOD!!!!
1 MILLION A WEEK? YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME
By Henry
January 11, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Yes he will make a difference in the MLS. i however believe that it will be shortchanged, unless they get another great player to New York. You have the two major soccer markets there so they will need a team in that area that will attract 77,000 spectators. Beckam alone will not do. Just look at The NASL. It would have been impossible for the Cosmos to draw that amount of people if it would not have been for the Ft Lauderdale Strikers. Those numbers were only produced when those two played in New York. I don’t think that Ronaldo is the answer. Figo would have done the job but he is now playing in the near east. However it will excite all blogers, smart and stupid ones!
By lovelyliz
January 12, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
80% of the $$$$ will come from endorsements NOT his salary. Beckham’s move really is the biggest thing to happen to the MLS - ever. He will make a huge impact. The question is how long that can be sustained.
By Chris D' (formerly Chris)
January 12, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Henry,
The Silverbacks now have a Brazilian, no excuse for you to not make it to a game next year. After you attend I would like you to post your analysis on this blog. Wendy could use a guest writer occasionally with a different perspective.
The NASL ended up failing because they couldn’t get a television contract. Billions of dollars are available internationally in television contracts and other endorsement deals. The LA Galaxy and the MLS will find plenty of revenue streams by marketing Beckham. The biggest test will be where the league is in 5 years. They knew it was time to step up to the table and put some chips down, only time will tell if the bet pays off. I personally am very excited about the prospects.
By Gork
January 12, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
This will make no major difference to the US MLS viewership or fanbase. You may have a slightly higher attendance the first time LA comes to play, but that’s it. Unlike basketball, soccer is a team sport and it takes many great players / stars, to draw a crowd, keep fans, and grow the sport.
Beckham is also way out of his prime- this was like the Raiders picking up Warren Sapp a few years back.
By Joshua Barlowe
January 12, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
The MLS fare won’t change until they start catering and advertising to 35-50 year old men instead of kids and soccer moms. Who has the spending money? Who buys tickets?
Also, a major deal with ESPN (one, not ESPN5) to show the games is a must.
After all, one can only watch poker or the WNBA so long.
By SouthGaRebel
January 12, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Lagging viewership, low ticket sales, few fans, and they pay this guy 250 million to play soccer for them? Beckham will sink MLS with this contract. I didn’t watch it before and I won’t watch it now. Give me the World Cup once every four years and that is all the soccer I can handle.
By Doug
January 12, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
This won’t sink the MLS…it will draw attention to the league and open the eyes of other solid Euro players that could potentially raise the bar for the competition. FC Dallas is allegedly in talks with Edgar Davids and the Ronaldo to Red Bull New York rumors continue to bubble.
Yes, it’s a lot of money, but David Beckham is the caliber of player and the caliber of celebrity to make it a viable investment (unlike the moody and inconsistent Alex Rodriguez, who has never lived up to the potential he hinted at in Seattle). To say he’s past his prime is ignorant - no one can cross a ball like Becks, and he remains a top-tier winger - his World Cup performances proved that.
Soccer has become the most popular youth sport because it’s accessible, fun and doesn’t require hundreds of dollars for families to get their kids involved. If Beckham can raise eyebrows and get those families into MLS matches, they’ll see how much fun it is and learn to appreciate the game. This is not the 1970’s and the entire world knows who David Beckham is…MLS can shine and he can carry it.
By bob
January 12, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
You sports folks continue to astound me. Nobody is worth that much money to do anything. They could take a turd and scribble his name on it in babies blood and you’d all gobble it up like the brainless sheep you are. That’s just pathetic. Go blindly worship another boring sports clown. Man, you people are stupid.
By SouthGaRebel
January 12, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Well, Bob, if you hate sports so much then why did you visit a sports blog? Seems like you’re the stupid one. What else did you expect? As for Alex Rodriguez’s worth, he’s a first ballot HOFer but naaa, he no good. Playing for the richest owner in MLB will net you money like that when you produce the kind of numbers he’s produced in his career. You are leaving out the fact he switched positions to keep Jeter happy. His natural position is short and I honestly believe the switch has messed with his head. Look at what Chipper’s switch to left field did to his head. The Beckham contract won’t do anything for MLS except cost them 250 million for a washed up player.
By Jason
January 12, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Beckham’s legend is far greater than what he will lend to the Galaxy or any other team these days. At 31, he is well past his prime, phisically and potentially. I have been watching him play for the past several years with Real Madrid as well as caught him in his prime when he was with Man U. for the past 3 seasons, he has been little more than a distraction to opposing players, this is evident to having been dropped from the regular starting roster at Real (has started 7 matches all season) as wll as being dropped completely from the England national squad. On the flip side, he is a genius for accepting the bloated paycheck to transfer over to the MLS from the Primera Liga or any other decent offer he may have been made by any Euro qualifying team. With his move to the States, he will be a richer man, his wife will have a chance to ressurect her listing career and will put him that much closer to Hollywood, which he will surely dabble in, if only they could fix his thin voice…he looks leading man, but speaks supporting actress..
By SouthGaRebel
January 12, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Jason, you nailed it right there.
By ROSS
January 12, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
This will make MLS absolutely huge in the next 2 years. I only hope it will make baseball disappear off the face of the earth. It’s time for a change in sports in America. Boring baseball and the thug NBA are a waste of tv time. This is going to bring more and more talent from overseas to come and play our style of soccer and at the same time bring more interest in the best sport in the world. There is a reason why the US has it’s own Soccer only channel. Get ready all you baseball fans…soccer is coming and you will be on the sidelines! I can’t wait. Baseball sucks a*!
By Chris D'
January 12, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
In case anyone wants the actual details on Beckhams deal.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=399597&root=mls&cc=5901
“Given the true rationale behind the figures, it’s safe to assume the league or the Galaxy won’t be bankrupting themselves anytime soon over this deal.”
By Henry
January 13, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
Chris D,
The NASL lost the World Cup by refusing to play by FIFA rules and expanded much to fast and irresponsibly. The TV contract would have come if it were not for the stupid NASL management, Period. The rest of you all, great comments, even from the ones that hate soccer. Shame on you all.
By Mouse
January 15, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
This story belongs on “Entertainment Tonight”, not the sports page. Soccer is such a snooze. It may be the most popular sport in the world, but that is because it can be played in all the impoverished countries. All you need is a ball - as for the field - a swamp, dessert, or jungle will do. Pele didn’t do anything for U.S. soccer, and Beckham won’t either.
By Mouse
January 15, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
This story belongs on “Entertainment Tonight”, not the sports page. Soccer is such a snooze. It may be the most popular sport in the world, but that is because it can be played in all the impoverished countries. All you need is a ball - as for the field - a swamp, dessert, or jungle will do. Pele didn’t do anything for U.S. soccer, and Beckham won’t either.
By Chris D'
January 15, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
Henry,
Interesting enough the NASL had higher TV ratings than the MLS has had to date. The ending of their television contract was the straw that broke the camels back. They did make other mistakes but at that time soccer had no real foundation in this country.
By Chris D'
January 15, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Look for the Superliga this summer to be the start of another soccer tradition in this country. US vs Mexican Clubs in an 8 team tournament, in season as opposed to out of MLS season. A Champions League of North America type event.
From MLSNET.COM
“The great soccer rivalry between México and the United States takes on a new dimension this summer with the inaugural edition of SuperLiga, the preeminent club tournament in North America. The best club teams from the two nations will extend the pride, passion, and pageantry that surround their national team matches.”
By Henry
January 17, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
For your information when Pelé came to the NASL attendances went through the roof, soccer in the US had become international with the results even published in Brasil and of course in Europe and more important it doubled my youth soccer league in South Florida. By the way that was the first competitive select soccer league in the South. Mouse, if this is your name it could be used by a Brasilian player a not so smart one; he did not make a difference Hay.
Yes Chris they lost the TV contract after they lost the Word cup and lowered the quality of the game by to fast of an expansion. Oh yah, I am looking forward to that tournament. It will show how good the teams in the league really are. Beating Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid or even Barcelona is not good enough. Oh yah their players were out of shape, two weeks after the World Cup, give me a break. I am sick of having to listen the MLS is bush league; every one of the team could play in any league in the world. Would they become champions there, probably not but how many of their teams have been champion in the last hundred years.
By Pepe
January 17, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
I think the Silverbacks trade for Salles and Antoniuk is a good one. Looks like they’re upgrading the roster a little bit every year. Looking forward to Opening Day at the REMAX in April.
By Henry
January 19, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Another player that will greatly benefit from Beckam’s addition is Landon Donavan. This will be his studdy for a soccer master degree and may be he’ll become a world class player. He did not get that in Germany.
By jocko
January 22, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
Big deal, no one (except 17 illegal Mexican soccer geeks)in L.A. will waste money to go see a washed up has been like Beckham.
By tony anglin
January 24, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Why are so many people doging soccer ? we should all try and promote all sports, there is room for all sports in the US.It just seems that we have people out there that are a little bit narrow minded. Anyway we will not change those people. On another note let’s all get out and go to all the Silverbacks home games this coming season, the season starts this April and should be a good one. GO SILVERBACKS.