Beckham to the MLS...LA Galaxy

[AsHopeDies]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/01/11/beckham.mls/index.html?cnn=yes

So Beckham signs with the LA Galaxy for like 39427905 bajillion dollars. What do you guys think about this?

[david_slupper]

LA Galaxy? WTF?!! I'm very surprised. I guess it's all about the money.

[JLC]

Money and lifestyle obviously, but yeah it's a good thing though because soccer/football could become even more popular in the US.

[AsHopeDies]

Yeah, everyone is relating it to the way bringing Pele over to the NY Cosmos sparked such a surge in the North American Soccer league back in the 70s. Hopefully it'll gain popularity. The finals this year were awesome, but nobody was watching lol. The hard thing with the MLS is that it is starting to lose players to other leagues, like Dempsey going to Fulham...if and when that becomes official.

[jcthompson76]

This story is making the news wires here in the states light up like mad. I had no idea Beckham would cause such a stir to the American media. It's no secret that this move would happen, I just didn't think it would happen this year. A Premiership return wasn't an option, first team place at Madrid didn't look likely, and Italian Football is still mired. I think LA will well suit the Beckham's (especially Posh). Plus he has that academy in LA. I wonder if the celebs will turn out for Galaxy games as they do for LA Lakers matches. I know batty Tom Cruise will show up for at least one match.

Word is Ronaldo may soon follow suit, only to NY.

Oh, and Dempsey's move to Fulham is through, the permit was approved.

[AsHopeDies]

Oh cool, thanks for the update on Dempsey, hope he does well. Just weird that the top notch Americans are finally getting into the premiership and now we have big names coming over here...really weird.

And you know Cruise and Holmes will be at every game, Posh and Katie are like best friends.

I too have heard the Beckham and Ronaldo rumors for quite some time, still interesting to see it actually happening.

[navid]

thats sick, no suprise at all.

[aeNeo]

I'm excited that Beckham has decided to move his career here. I think that because of his desire to finish his career in the MLS, we'll see the sport's national popularity soar because of his celebrity status as an international sex symbol and cultural icon in addition to his world class skills on the field. The next challenge for the MLS in order to compete with the likes of Barclay's Premiership is to contain American players cultivated at the college level from moving overseas while continuing to attract stars like Beckham to join the league. If this can be achieved, the MLS should have great things in store for its future.

[Mysterio]

aww Navid Scar was a sweet avatar.

But yea its good to see him move. He said himself he was doing it for the game. Trying to get soccer more popular over here that is. WHich could be utter b/s but hey he already has tons of money not like he needs the 250 mill. Plus Donavan will have a great mid that can set him up for some kick ass goals.

[MrDeliquent85]

The money is crazy but should he do well they'll probably recover it in 1 year. Beckham has apparently signed over his image rights too, a $200 million dollar contract from nike or some crazy shit like that will probably be on the cards and the majority of the wages will be dealt with. The popularity that will rise for soccer is already showing, the media have gone crazy, even if its just the money they're talking about.

I've been saying it for years, the potential for "soccerball" in America is massive, the size of the country alone and the money it can offer is crazy in terms to little old England.

Was it the right move for him ? Maybe but he'll retire knowing he played his last years in a second rate league.

[Travmire]

When I first heard this, I thought it was a joke. When I heard about the contract, I knew it was a joke. Beckham is past his prime and he's hardly worth a contract like that.

I suppose this will get soccer on Sportscenter, which will help it. I honestly believe that Americans will watch anything (just look at reality TV). The problem is that soccer isn't on TV enough. The World Cup doesn't come around often enough to make us true fans.

Look at curling, poker, and arena football. They all are fairly popular (or at least more so than expected) because they got air time. The WNBA, MLS, and every other failing league doesn't.

[322]

Is David Beckham a money whore?

Think about it, you got all the money in the world, wouldnt you want to stay in Europe where they eat, breathe and bleed Football/Soccer? At a point where money is no longer an option, wouldnt you want some things in life that money can't buy? And by that i mean an atmosphere that no other sport can compare to...

Or do you believe he is truely doing it to help out North American Football/Soccer or whatever the hell his reason is...


Don't get me wrong, i believe he is a top class person, up there with the greats such as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky. Top class athelete with a positive atititude, but it seems he suuuure likes the money.

[DontBottaMe13]

250million isnt just any amount of money tho

[Ganja Ninja]

250 million over 5 years is a rediculous amount of money. I don't think its just the money influencing his move though. In Europe, hes gotta compete and compare against other giants of the sport, and compared to them hes somewhat mediocre, although thats open to opinion. In America, he's gonna be far ahead of the others, if not in talent, than simply in fame, and I think its the idea of being the stand-alone image of American soccer that Beckham wants more than the money.
Although of course, 250 million's a pretty sweet bonus too.

[gigglemuffin]

He is a whore. He should have stayed in Europe, he should have just got out of Real, and move to Tottenham or Newcastle or something. I never liked him anyways. But on the bright side, Beckhams arrival into the states will bring more popularity to the sport that MLS needs badly. People will go to just see him.

[gigglemuffin]

I hate him as a player, and I think that he is just a money whore, but his arrival will do nothing but good things for MLS. Unless he like break his leg something his very first game. *knock on wood* I never wish for injury to any player.

[Travmire]

I think because the money is such an absurd amount, he is not a whore. This is the kind of thing you can't say no to.

[kledster]

i think he's definately a money whore. he seems like a nice guy though. he has an insanely gorgeous wife as well. (at least she was a couple years ago) but i won't lie.. if i had all those things i'd probably be sucked into that whole fanatical money-loving lifestyle too. unfortunate but true.

[firepiss]

He only picked LA because of hollywood. You wanna bet he wants to be a hollywood actor?

I never heard of the guy until yesterday, besides I'm not watching a sport that I don't normally watch because the guy is good looking?

Maybe some of the ladies might watch, then again most women could give two shits about sports in general.

He will not be popular in America.

[Travmire]

He only picked LA because of hollywood. You wanna bet he wants to be a hollywood actor?

I never heard of the guy until yesterday, besides I'm not watching a sport that I don't normally watch because the guy is good looking?

Maybe some of the ladies might watch, then again most women could give two shits about sports in general.

He will not be popular in America.

How could you have not known about him before this? He's one of the most well known athletes in the world.

And he is already fairly well known in America, so there is a chance that he will be popular (at least by soccer's standards of this country).

[Midfielder1]

Yes, he is a money whore, but so are many others in sport as well as say business etc. It's the sad state of the world. $$$$$$$$$$ is the driving factor for everything period and not integrity or character. What huh? Ahhh who cares! Same story.

Beckham may be making the move for the money as well as the prestige of being in America, he may end up in movies, on TV shows etc and he may bring more attention to soccer/football in America.

We can so no to anything financial when we are quite well off, we choose to say yes! If I am worth say 100-200-300 million U.S. dollars I can say no if I want to, but I neeeeed all that money right? No he does not, none of us really would in that position, what's his master plan for all that cash? If a reporter asks(asked) him about the move, I'd love to hear the response. :blahblah:

[C EVIL KILL IT]

We can so no to anything financial when we are quite well off, we choose to say yes! If I am worth say 100-200-300 million U.S. dollars I can say no if I want to, but I neeeeed all that money right? No he does not, none of us really would in that position, what's his master plan for all that cash? If a reporter asks(asked) him about the move, I'd love to hear the response.

True I just read "The Corporation" (sad) and even thought it's deals with big companies they are made up of individuals.

We could say it about most people in sports. If you are approached by a league, sponser or company to endorse or play for so n so and they offer you 250 mil, ya gonna do it (whoring). If I had the kind of money that D.B. has I don't know what I'd do, hey basically we humans are greedy mothers anyway.

See......

It's the sad state of the world. $$$$$$$$$$ is the driving factor for everything period

[MrDeliquent85]

Either he isn't or we all are.

Point me in the direction of one person who'd turn the offer down and you'll prove me wrong.

He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone any more, was his move completely influenced by money ? I'd say no, I think its about status now.

[ftbllplr]

First of all, he is not guaranteed $250 million. There are a bunch of incentives. It's pretty common. Make the all star game= +$$$, score a certain number of goals= +$$$. His actual salary hasn't actually been released yet. He could make up to $250 million over the next 5 years, but who knows what he will actually make. Either way, its a ploy by MLS to spur some interest.

[JerkyMyTurky]

In other MLS news, 4 Time MLS champs, DC United sold for $33 million...
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070108&content_id=81370&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

[JLC]

He wants to help make football more popular in the US, nothing wrong with that, but the money is ridiculous though.

[JerkyMyTurky]

To further put into perspective how much he is making, compared to regular MLS players...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/mls/longterm/2006/mls.salaries.html

When added up, Beckham, by himself, is making 2x as much than every single player in MLS combined. Although, he is the first player to sign with this new exception to the MLS salary cap, so expect other teams to sign some big names. Ronaldo is rumored to be the next big name to be signed in a couple weeks. NY is probably going to the next team to sign a big name. Hopefully they use the money wisely and pass up on Ronaldo, at least Beckham can still make good crosses, corner kicks, free kicks and penalty kicks. Ronaldo will have a tough time keeping in shape.

Everyone should take into consideration, soccer relies heavily on sponsorship and marketing and merchandise sales. Having a star player and big name on your team, helps in that you can fill the stadium, get better tv contracts, sell more merchandise, get invited to exhibition tournaments, etc. They will still expect him to play well, but they expect to make money from his signing from these other avenues as well. The worst thing to happen would be for him to get injured or play worse than the competition. The referees will most definately be keeping an eye out on him and other big names to protect them from reckless tackles.

[Meio]

Look what city it's in. I bet that Posh had more to do with it than anything else (money, altruism or what have you). I bet she wants to live in Hollywood and break the movies. She runs his life anyway. Blame Posh.

[Meio]

He only picked LA because of hollywood. You wanna bet he wants to be a hollywood actor?

Have you ever heared him speak? Probably not. I bet his missus might want a bit of that Hollywood action though.

[Bekkton]

Its a great move for him. Moving to America means he will be the "it" star for the sport in the whole country. And since he is a good looking man and has a sexy wife, he will instantly have celeb status.

[AsHopeDies]

^ exactly...at this stage in his career this is brilliant for him. He was fading away in Barca...nobody in the Premiership would take him back...especially not for his salary.

And think about it, now he has the chance to literally be the face of a league, and the guy who sparked a rise in a new professional league. I think it's brilliant for everyone involved.

[AsHopeDies]

He only picked LA because of hollywood. You wanna bet he wants to be a hollywood actor?

I never heard of the guy until yesterday, besides I'm not watching a sport that I don't normally watch because the guy is good looking?

Maybe some of the ladies might watch, then again most women could give two shits about sports in general.

He will not be popular in America.

Quoted for Ignorance.

He will be insanely popular in America...hell, he's already popular in America.

[JLC]

^ exactly...at this stage in his career this is brilliant for him. He was fading away in Barca...nobody in the Premiership would take him back...especially not for his salary.

And think about it, now he has the chance to literally be the face of a league, and the guy who sparked a rise in a new professional league. I think it's brilliant for everyone involved.

Exactly, it's a great move. America is pretty much the only country where football/soccer isn't very popular, and this is the big chance for it to take off as it rightly should. Who gives a shit about posh spice wanting to be famous over there, it's the football that matters.

[AsHopeDies]

Uhh....Posh Spice is already really fucking famous over here, so is David Beckham.

They have to take this move and do the right things with it though, and be sure not to make the same mistakes that the North American Soccer League made in the 1970s. They brought over Pele and a few other international stars and the league exploded, got insanely popular. And within a few years...the league folded. Time will tell I'm sure.

[JLC]

Is she? Oh right, I didn't think she was that famous over there.

Anyway, it seems that Edgar Davids could be heading to the MLS aswell, heard it on the radio about an hour ago.

[gigglemuffin]

^ exactly...at this stage in his career this is brilliant for him. He was fading away in Barca...nobody in the Premiership would take him back...especially not for his salary.

And think about it, now he has the chance to literally be the face of a league, and the guy who sparked a rise in a new professional league. I think it's brilliant for everyone involved.

you mean Real Madrid right?

[JLC]

He only picked LA because of hollywood. You wanna bet he wants to be a hollywood actor?

I never heard of the guy until yesterday, besides I'm not watching a sport that I don't normally watch because the guy is good looking?

Maybe some of the ladies might watch, then again most women could give two shits about sports in general.

He will not be popular in America.

Do you live under a rock? Beckham is insanely famous, one of the most famous athletes around. lol @ the Beckham wants to be a hollywood actor comment. He sounds like a little girl and acts all shy, so no.

btw flight of the navigator is a great film.

[YorkshireMan]

What a sell out.

Then hes like, its not about the money. errr yeah right . :squint:

[YorkshireMan]

yes hes a money whore. Playing footie in the US, its unbelievable.

[jcthompson76]

I heard the same thing about Edgar Davids. Apparently there are already talks going on with FC Dallas.

I could not beleive the attention his move made on all the ESPN shows yesterday. It was headline stuff and this is in the middle of NFL playoffs.

This supposed $250 million deal won't choke out the MLS. Apparently Beckham's playing wages are in the single digit millions. I think most of the $$$ will come from Adidas who is a primary Beckham sponsor and official sponsor of the MLS. Dream partnership huh? Plus the MLS has taken calculated steps forward over the years-new franchises popping up, high profile exhibition matches (Chelsea vs MLS Allstars comes to mind). They're not going to replicate what led to the demise of the league of the 70s

Regarding Beckham being a money whore, I was reading Kevin Nolan's column on BBC and he thought Beckham would have to be insane not to take the deal taking in cosideration his age (turning 32 soon) and his interest in his family's financial security. Plus the media will probably be less invasive than in Europe.

Prediction time: Posh as a guest judge on on American Idol.

I read someone thought this move will create MLS Version 2.0. Chuckle. We'll have to wait and see.

[AsHopeDies]

you mean Real Madrid right?

yeah yeah...wow, made myself like a complete fool. But yeah...he's fading somewhere in Spain ;)

yes hes a money whore. Playing footie in the US, its unbelievable.

wow....wow

I guess it's more convenient for you guys to argue that it isn't popular here and will never be and all that other bullshit if we don't build a nice professional league. Sorry to upset you.

[AsHopeDies]

What a sell out.

Then hes like, its not about the money. errr yeah right . :squint:

He doesn't even play in England...why do you give a fuck?

[James Bond 007]

This is a great move by Beckham.

Travmire you are full of shit mate... Yeah Becks is past his best and not good enough to be garanteed first team football at any of the top clubs in europe but still, a past-his-best Beckham will still be far and away the best player in that dross MLS..... Big fish little pond springs to mind.

I heard some people calling Becks greedy and blah blah blah.
Is it so wrong for someone to choose to play out his last few years in a nice warm country where he will be getting a quater of a billion dollars over 5 years for doing something he loves?

Instead of moaning about it I think ALL Americans who have an interest in football should be thrilled and partying in the streets hes coming to your league. His going to America will be the biggest and without doubt most important thing to have ever happened for football in the US.
He will generate so much interest and you will probably find other past-their-best but still huge names in football heading over there too.
Who knows, Beckhams move to the US might be the catalyst football in America needs.

His move to the US is far more significant than when Pele went to finish his carreer over there.
For years America has been a sort of Val Haller, a place where people go when they know its over but maybe now there might be some genuine interest from players in europe.

I am surprised he is going over so soon though, hes only 31 so still has 4 good years left in him. He had the option to return to the Premiership with Bolton or Newcastle who are both massive clubs (well compared to any MLS side) so I would have thought he would have come back for 2 years then gone to America.

[Thomson]

^ exactly...at this stage in his career this is brilliant for him. He was fading away in Barca...nobody in the Premiership would take him back...especially not for his salary.

And think about it, now he has the chance to literally be the face of a league, and the guy who sparked a rise in a new professional league. I think it's brilliant for everyone involved.

first off he played for Real Madrid

and second, most clubs in the Prem would take him, regardless of his skill. all the clubs know how much of a cash cow Beckham is.

[Sherlock]

I agree with Bond. It will be good for America and the MLS. And maybe yanks will start to take football more seriously. I guarantee that Beckham will set up another one of his "football academys" too.
He said this too:
"Im going to hopefully build a club and a team that has a lot of potential."
David Beckham: Football manager?

[Meio]

David Beckham: Football manager?

Could you imagine the team talks?

[DontBottaMe13]

if MLS does take off and everything hes gonna be the one who sparked it all...he's brilliant for doing this...if the MLS starts signing ronaldo and other giants and it becomes a huge sport in the US people are gonna look to beckham as the number one guy who started it all, he'll have done much more soccer than any1 over in europe

[AsHopeDies]

first off he played for Real Madrid

and second, most clubs in the Prem would take him, regardless of his skill. all the clubs know how much of a cash cow Beckham is.

First off...you're about 5 posts late on that. And I knew that just screwed up...believe me or not...don't care.

Secondly, that's contrary to plenty that I've read but it doesn't really matter. Doesn't dispute the fact that it's a good move for all parties involved.

[sweet]

This is kind of off topic. But I remember when Freddy Adu whos was only 15 years old joined the D.C. united. But no I don't think he is a money whore. also D.C. united tied Real Madrid last year.

[gatorpatric0]

Well, for one thing, Beckham is going to have to get used to calling it Soccer, cus thats what its called in America.

[AsHopeDies]

It was funny hear him calling it soccer in his press conference today

[JerkyMyTurky]

Each team is planning on signing a big name. NY Red Bull are expected to sign Ronaldo, I hope they don't. MLS teams, if they are smart they should definately go after midfield players, they make everyone around them better. If you get a striker and you don't have players to feed that striker the ball, he is not going to be able to score. You needs players who can create chances and oppurtunities for the players around him, that will make the team better, that's why I think Ronaldo is a bad choice and they should go after a star midfielder who can assists players and create havoc on a team's defense. Ronaldo is not going to be able to do shit, if they don't feed him the ball in front of the net. It will be a big waste of money. New York media will eat him up alive with his laziness and late night antics and if he fails to score goals upon goals. I would have loved to have Beckham, hopefully NY don't fuck up and get Ronaldo.

[Travmire]

This is a great move by Beckham.

Travmire you are full of shit mate... Yeah Becks is past his best and not good enough to be garanteed first team football at any of the top clubs in europe but still, a past-his-best Beckham will still be far and away the best player in that dross MLS..... Big fish little pond springs to mind.

I heard some people calling Becks greedy and blah blah blah.
Is it so wrong for someone to choose to play out his last few years in a nice warm country where he will be getting a quater of a billion dollars over 5 years for doing something he loves?

Instead of moaning about it I think ALL Americans who have an interest in football should be thrilled and partying in the streets hes coming to your league. His going to America will be the biggest and without doubt most important thing to have ever happened for football in the US.
He will generate so much interest and you will probably find other past-their-best but still huge names in football heading over there too.
Who knows, Beckhams move to the US might be the catalyst football in America needs.

His move to the US is far more significant than when Pele went to finish his carreer over there.
For years America has been a sort of Val Haller, a place where people go when they know its over but maybe now there might be some genuine interest from players in europe.

I am surprised he is going over so soon though, hes only 31 so still has 4 good years left in him. He had the option to return to the Premiership with Bolton or Newcastle who are both massive clubs (well compared to any MLS side) so I would have thought he would have come back for 2 years then gone to America.

Admittedly I'm not a huge soccer fan, but when I saw Beckham play in the World Cup, he didn't look like a player, talent wise, that's worth 250 million dollars. Even if he were the best player in the world as far as talent, that still wouldn't justify fifty million a year.

Does it make him a whore? Of course not. Anyone would have signed this deal.

He will boost the awareness for soccer for the next season. It's up to the MLS to keep it going though. And I still think it has less to do with putting big name players on the field than it does putting it on television. The MLS is going to need a good television deal (if they don't have one already) or else none of this will work.

[JLC]

Could you imagine the team talks?

Errr, put d ball in d goal please, thanks guys...

[YorkshireMan]

He doesn't even play in England...why do you give a fuck?

I was just hoping he would play for England again, but now he is playing footie in US, that aint gonna happen. After watching some stuff on him and his move this morning im abit more understanding. Still a obscene amount of money hes getting though ! lol

Sorry for double posting too. Dont know what happened there .

[USB]

In my honest opinion i think he always was abit overated. All i ever saw him do was score quality freekicks and put good crosses in. It wasnt as if he had any pace or flair.

But he had been saying for a long time that he wanted to come to the us to try and make football popular.

And is he a 'whore'? hell no. Its not as if he held out for a huge deal, the MLS thought everyone would want him and that it would be hard to sign him.

[kit kat]

David Beckham is overrated and overpaid. Don't get me wrong, even at 31 he has talent, but he ain't what he used to be. Although he has insisted his motivation for signing the record breaking £128 million deal – ensuring he will earn a staggering £500,000 a week was not about the money but about the chance to make "soccer" more popular in the US. See-through. He never chose the football; he chose the status. It wasn't exactly a hard decision to make, having been dropped from the England team and put to the subs' bench at Real Madrid. Hell, I can even remember you people saying he was a liability in the England team. It wasn't even a sudden decision. His move to America has actually been years in the making - a great deal of careful planning on parts of those who advise him and his wife. This is where Simon Fuller comes in – a marketing genius that once managed the Spice Girls and the guy created Pop Idol. He warned him that his football career wouldn't last forever. From the start, he insisted that America is the only place for both of them can build new careers. A celeb with good advice will always be able to capitalise on their career. The happiest is his wife (who also had a big say in it), who is determind to make a new career for herself.

And let's face it, LA Galaxy are fucking shite, whose standard are well below even the weakest sides in the top two English divisions. Why would they want to come back to Britain, where Beckham would play for a second rate club and where they would be picked apart? They have different attitudes toward celebs in the US, a more respectful one. I'm not saying I wouldn't have taken the money myself; I'm just showing that it was always going to happen.

[Marcos2990]

arrgh...... now we need some euro players to come to Toronto FC, that would be sweet :D

[navid]

this is also sweet because Toronto has a new MLS team, FC Toronto. That means beckham in toronto, saweeeeeeeet

[Meio]

Errr, put d ball in d goal please, thanks guys...

Said in his squeaky Essex boy voice. :)