Where Gretzky led...other athletes will follow -- Beckham signs with LA club

[Asher]

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

Beckham heads to North America

David Beckham is reported to have stated he is on the move. Sources report the 31 year-old is expected to quit Real Madrid at the end of this season when his current contract expires and join a U.S. club.

Beckham, who moved to Madrid from Manchester United of the EPL, is heading to the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS. He will sign a five year deal with the club said to be worth in the area of $250 million US. Rumours have been rampant as of late over Beckham's final destination, though Los Angeles and the MLS really comes as no surprise.

Beckham stated, "After considering several options to stay in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join LA Galaxy."

He currently has a soccer academy in Carson, California. His wife, Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, is also said to be interested in becoming an actress, and a move to the Los Angeles area supports this.
Related Info

* Beckham's Statement to the Press

Beckham left Man U for Real Madrid in 2003 in a transfer deal seeing Madrid pay $50 million US. Many remember Euro 2004 where Beckham missed a shoot-out penalty in the quarter-finals, falling to Portugal. In his last international stint, Beckham saw himself red-carded against Austria in World Cup 2006, and the team bowing out in the final-eight. He subsequently relinquished his captaincy.



Beckham has in the recent past, fallen out of favour with the head coaches of Real Madrid, most recently Fabio Capello, being relegated to the bench, and rarely being part of the starting eleven.

"I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own," Beckham said today.

Rumours still swirl as to his intentions related to England's national team, after his fall from grace in 2006. He was dropped by current England coach Steve McClaren following the tournament, and has yet to be recalled.

A huge international star, Beckham has yet to gain that kind of acclaim in the U.S. But a move to the MLS will definately help in promoting his brand in North America. His spokesman duties include adidas, pepsi, and his own line of fragrances.

Paving the way for this move, the MLS has recently restructured their salary cap regulations, allowing teams the breadth to finance a 'star player.' No doubt this regulatory change foreshadowed just such a move as Beckham's. The MLS has been putting major emphasis on strengthening the recognition of soccer and the league in North America. Adding a marquee performer such as David Beckham is a quantum leap in making the MLS more recognizable on the international soccer scene.

"David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally," said Timothy J. Leiweke, president & CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy, to CP. "David is truly the only individual that can build the bridge between soccer in America and the rest of the world."

The Galaxy are no strangers to all-star performers. The team already boasts US international phenom Landon Donovan, and is managed by former U.S. mainstay Alexi Lalas.

[alva]

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...80#post4743580

"David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally,"

Hmm, if neither Pele, Beckenbauer or Cruiyf could do it, what makes them think he can?

[Dis]

I posted this in the football thread.

But how in the hell can they afford to pay him that much. I don't think any football or baseball player makes that much.

[Kontiki]

He's set to make $50 million a year playing in the MLS? Is the entire payroll for the league even that high?

[Asher]

2005 salaries:

MLS Team Payroll
1. 	Los Angeles Galaxy 	$2.75 million
2. 	FC Dallas 	$2.61 million
3. 	Chicago Fire 	$2.25 million
4. 	D.C. United 	$2.18 million
5. 	Real Salt Lake 	$2.09 million
6. 	MetroStars 	$1.86 million
7. 	Chivas USA 	$1.80 million
8. 	Kansas City Wizards 	$1.77 million
9. 	Columbus Crew 	$1.65 million
10. 	San Jose Earthquakes 	$1.65 million
11. 	Colorado Rapids 	$1.5 million
12. 	New England Revolution 	$1.46 million

[Kontiki]

I was trying to be facetious, but I guess not.

Also, Real Salt Lake.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by alva
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...80#post4743580

"David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally,"

Hmm, if neither Pele, Beckenbauer or Cruiyf could do it, what makes them think he can?

Well Pele had a massive impact on soccer in the US. Because of his impact the US bid and was successful for the 1994 WC and the MLS exists. Most of the stars of the US team in the 90s grew up with the NASL and the Cosmos.

[alva]

It didn't do what it was intented though, did it. It didn't become a serious contender (which was my point).

But how in the hell can they afford to pay him that much.

The (way too) high wages is one of the reason that made me turn away from football, too much is just too much.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by alva
It didn't do what it was intented though, did it. It didn't become a serious contender (which was my point).

But that league wasn't very well run and it imploded.

One could say the same thing is likely with this signing, and I would be inclined to agree. However, Anschutz and his people are not fools. I don't know how they plan on this paying off, but I'd bet they have some ideas.

[DanS]

LA Galaxy consistently makes money. I doubt any of the NASL clubs made money on a consistent basis.

[Imran Siddiqui]

And most of this salary is endorsement deals that are part of the contract, but not coming from the coffers of LA Galaxy.

[Maquiladora]

Beckham MVP without playing a game

[Cort Haus]

ZOMG - Asher in football thread shock!

[Tuberski]

The Galaxy are no strangers to all-star performers. The team already boasts US international phenom Landon Donovan, and is managed by former U.S. mainstay Alexi Lalas.

Donovan is a phenom? He looks like a soccer playing penguin.

ACK!

[LordShiva]

I read this on Eurosport. Is Beckham really ready to admit his career is over?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by LordShiva
I read this on Eurosport. Is Beckham really ready to admit his career is over?

I figure he is really ready to cash cheques equallying 50 million per annum

[Maquiladora]

Originally posted by LordShiva
I read this on Eurosport. Is Beckham really ready to admit his career is over?

He seems to prefer the drama and fame to actually achieving anything on the pitch. Which is why he joined Real Madrid when he did, it would put him among the greats to play there in the past. Whether he won anything seemed irrelevant.

He (or his agent) just found the brightest spotlight again.

[Drake Tungsten]

It's not like Beckham's the only who wants to get the **** out of Britain...

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by alva
It didn't do what it was intented though, did it. It didn't become a serious contender (which was my point).

When i was a kid in NYC, soccer was an obscure sport played by immigrants on their days off from working in garment factories. It was like a tad more popular than bocci. Maybe. By now its like THE team sport for little kids, largely displacing little league baseball. That is a phenomenal shift - imagine if half the 8 year olds in your town were in a curling league (if youre not Canadian or Scottish, that is) Thats how big the transformation has been.

Now of course the problem is how does something phenomenally successful, but identified as kiddy, breakout of that niche - the Nintendo problem, so to speak, or the Harry Potter problem. Maybe Beckham can do it, maybe not. But I think it would be a mistake to underestimate the growth in soccer that took place here during the Pele years.

[Odin]

The new Pele:

Soccer:

[Jaguar]

I think I speak for most Americans when I say "who the hell is he, and why are we supposed to care?"

[Drake Tungsten]

He's Posh Spice's husband and we should care because now, with Posh in LA, it will be easier to make Spice World 2. Her husband's "sporting" career has held her and the sequel back up until now...

[Jaguar]

Oh, he's a washed up pop star's husband? So he's kind of like K-Fed, except he plays a "sport."

[Drake Tungsten]

K-Fed is a professional wrestler now, so they're pretty much exactly alike.

[Asher]

Beckham, like all gay men, died when he turned 25.

[Drake Tungsten]

Agreed. He's just a shell of a man now really, doomed to spend the rest of his days hanging with TomKat and his talentless beard...

[Kontiki]

Let's not get crazy now. Katie Holmes has (or had, not sure how motherhood will affect them) two great talents.

[Drake Tungsten]

Posh Spice is the "talentless beard" I was referring to. I should have made that more clear given the abundance of closeted gay men in that scenario...

[Kontiki]

My bad. But you're right, you did set the stage for the confusion.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Jaguar
I think I speak for most Americans when I say "who the hell is he, and why are we supposed to care?"

He's the guy making more money in one minute than the rest of us will make in our whole dreary, hopeless, wretched lifetimes.