David Beckham agrees to LA Galaxy move

[GrandeDavid]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6248835.stm

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42439000/jpg/_42439615_beckham203.jpg

Beckham agrees to LA Galaxy move
David Beckham will leave Real Madrid and join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old former England captain will sign a five-year deal, reportedly worth £128m.

Beckham said: "This week Real asked me to make a decision regarding their offer to extend my contract.

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

In a statement, Beckham continued: "I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make.


I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football
David Beckham

"I have enjoyed my time in Spain enormously and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans.

"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.

"For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100% to my coach, team-mates and fans as I believe manager Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."

Real Madrid confirmed Beckham's departure in a statement, saying: "Both parties have agreed that Beckham will not extend his current contract, which ends on 30 June 2007."

Beckham left Manchester United in July 2003 to sign for Real, who paid £25m for the midfielder's services.

However, in the three-and-a-half seasons since his arrival, the Spanish giants have failed to win any major trophies.

This season has proved particularly disappointing for Beckham, who was dropped by England coach Steve McClaren and then fell out of favour with Real boss Capello.


LA Galaxy admitted their interest in signing Beckham in November, when general manager Alexi Lalas told the BBC Sport website of his admiration for the former England captain.

In an exclusive interview, Lalas said: "The Los Angeles Galaxy are looked upon as the jewel of Major League Soccer.

"We play in the best stadium we have had incredible success over the history of the league, we have had great individual players and great teams. There's a tradition of excellence.

"All of this leads to this race to become the first MLS super club, if you will.

"It is something we aspire to and in order to do that you have to have quality players, a direction and a passion, a good coach and you have to get credibility domestically and internationally.

[GrandeDavid]

Becks!

[1369]

My prediction:

Won't significantly effect the MLS one iota.

If Pele couldn't spark the US professional soccer market, Beckham damn sure won't.

[ponky]

My prediction:

Won't significantly effect the MLS one iota.

If Pele couldn't spark the US professional soccer market, Beckham damn sure won't.


wrong...in terms of game, you're probably right...in terms of marketing, you're wrong

remember when real madrid played real salt lake in a friendly back in auagust? people went apeshit at the game because of one thing: beckham...this happens everytime he comes to the states and l.a. is certainly the place for him to be if he's going to be here at all

[1369]

wrong...in terms of game, you're probably right...in terms of marketing, you're wrong

remember when real madrid played real salt lake in a friendly back in auagust? people went apeshit at the game because of one thing: beckham...this happens everytime he comes to the states and l.a. is certainly the place for him to be if he's going to be here at all

So 45K showed in Salt Lake to see the match and BYU averages 55K+ for each of their home games. Apeshiat? Don't think so.

Marketing? I don't know. I'd hazard a guess that if you took 10 people off the streets and asked them who David Beckham is, maybe 2 could tell you.

Nothing personal, but I just think that the MLS will remain a 3rd tier draw to the average American viewing public.

[mardigan]

Completely wrong, Beckhams signing will impact other players, like Ronaldo, to come over which will completely shift Americans attitude towards soccer. And 2 out of 10? Come on the guy is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. He wont change much talent wise, but the atmosphere of the MLS has been steadily changing over the last couple of years, and this helps even more

[1369]

Mardigan, we'll just have to agree to disagree. I've worked all over the planet, and I realize the draw Beckham has, but that's not in the U.S. People here just don't know who he is.

I thought Pele's signing with the NY Cosmos was supposed to change Americans attitudes towards soccer 30+ years ago?

[MannyIsGod]

I'm not opptimisitic, but hopefully this will bring more people to the game here in the US.

[spurschick]

Completely wrong, Beckhams signing will impact other players, like Ronaldo, to come over which will completely shift Americans attitude towards soccer.

I agree with you on this. While basketball was already popular here, international players have made a huge impact on the sport and I think that the same will happen to football.

[mardigan]

On a side note, 5 year 250 million is a bit steep. And we will have to disagree, because if it is on espn front page and cold pizza somebody in America has to care, otherwise ESPN is just throwing money and airtime away, so someone must care. I have been all over the world too, thats fine, but I think anyone who has ever even heard of soccer as a sport, which is a lot considering EAs Fifa game is one of the biggest selling games in the US year to year, has heard of Becks. Im not arguing that he isnt more known in other places, but the fact that it made ESPNs main page speaks volumes to me about how much more Americans are caring about the worlds sport, and this signing is going to double it. Shit havent you seen how many premiership games that fox sports have started to air, along with espn addition of a soccer page, those things speak to me more than your opinion

[1369]

Mardigan, who owns ESPN?

Who has broadcast rights to the MLS?

That's why you're seeing the coverage on ESPN.

Not much coverage here though. (http://sportsline.com/)

[mardigan]

Except at the top of the page where it says in bold Bechkam bends bank

[mardigan]

The same coverage its giving to the Bonds story

[MoSpur]

250 million for five years?????? A-Rod who? I don't think he will have much success as far as the team and his personal stats go. However, he will make MLS a lot of money.

[mardigan]

Yeah, he wont have much of an impact, just because his wheels are slowing down and the talent level in the MLS has grown, but he will make them so much f-ing money that 250 mil will eventually seem like a bargain

[mardigan]

Also Clint Dempsey is leaving the Revolution for Fullham, showing how much better the US is becomin in soccer

[SAtown]

Also Clint Dempsey is leaving the Revolution for Fullham, showing how much better the US is becomin in soccer

Leaving Germany without any wins also shows how much better they're becoming.

[mardigan]

Different story alltogether, tougth pool+wrong lineups+Bruce Arenas=0 wins in Germany

[Condemned 2 HelLA]

MLS seems to be where older, popiular South American and European players go to die.
See Hristo Stoitchkov & Carlos Valderrama.

[mardigan]

Its true, because they are playing against lesser competition, can get more money and playing time, and live it up in the US. But the way I see it, players like Bekham and soon to be Ronaldo are also good mentors to our inexperienced young US players, making the US improvment slow, but steady

[TDMVPDPOY]

david beckham will be earnin 50mill a year? :( > nba/nfl/mlb highest salary....heck he will earn even more jordan will earn.

[TDMVPDPOY]

look if the usa teams have that much money, they can just buy out all the best players in the world to come and play there.....and what will the current players think of the salary as compared to becks or any over the hill players comin to usa.

But the comp in latin america, europe will always be better in america even if they buy all the good over the hill players who are comin there for a payday....

[johngateswhiteley]

Beckham....shit. two things:

1. i can't believe he is going to make $50 million/year

2. he will make a positive impact on the sport, i don't know that it will be enough...but i hope so

[mardigan]

Well yeah, the US is a was a late bloomer to the sport, so there will be a huge talent gap for a long time between us and the other countries that have great club, and junior teams. Im not saying Beckham or any other over the player they ring in is going to even things up, but it does help give the US a little more confidence, and eventually will help our younger players learn things that no US coach could teach them. SHit, what if Beckham stays in the US forever and his son ends up playing for us? You never know.

[johnsmith]

Eh, soccer is boring and it won't get big in America even with this asshat making 50 million a year.

Field's too big, players are too gay, and I think I speak for a majority of Americans when I say we like our sports fast, high scoring, and violent.

However, I do think Posh Spice is hot.

[mardigan]

Agreed that Posh Spice is hot, and your right that soccer probably will never compete with the NFL or NBA, but it is trying to make strides and I respect that

[mardigan]

And A Rod wasnt 31 when he got that contract

[ponky]

So 45K showed in Salt Lake to see the match and BYU averages 55K+ for each of their home games. Apeshiat? Don't think so.

Marketing? I don't know. I'd hazard a guess that if you took 10 people off the streets and asked them who David Beckham is, maybe 2 could tell you.

Nothing personal, but I just think that the MLS will remain a 3rd tier draw to the average American viewing public.


uh hello, salt lake is a small market and getting 45K to see becks in salt lake is pretty damn impressive when real salt lake doesn't even average that for regular season games...becks isn't going to salt lake, he's going to L.A., not necessarily a small market

also, like mardigan said, it'll open the doors for others to check out MLS

[ponky]

david beckham will be earnin 50mill a year? :( > nba/nfl/mlb highest salary....heck he will earn even more jordan will earn.


lots of athletes, including nba ballers today, make more than jordan did back in the day...of course, this does not include endorsements, in which case, jordan collects about 25 mil a year from nike but even then, shumacher, tiger and peyton earn more than jordan and becks is eighth in overall earnings


btw, it's a 50mil/FIVE year deal....OOPS, i mean 250 mil, fuck, my bad

[mardigan]

Yeah I already argued with this guy earlier, and he just stopped posting, so whatever. I agree that that amount of people in UTAH for a soccer game is a HUGE deal. And did you see earlier last year when the MLS all star team without some of their best players beat Everton (I think it was Everton, it could have been Fullham) it was on a sick ass De Rossario goal, the place whent fucking crazy, you would have thought it was the world cup. Bottom line is the Beckham signing shows that US soccer is serious about showing that its going to try its hardest too make soccer more popular in the US, and I applaud them for that

[ponky]

Yeah I already argued with this guy earlier, and he just stopped posting, so whatever. I agree that that amount of people in UTAH for a soccer game is a HUGE deal. And did you see earlier last year when the MLS all star team without some of their best players beat Everton (I think it was Everton, it could have been Fullham) it was on a sick ass De Rossario goal, the place whent fucking crazy, you would have thought it was the world cup. Bottom line is the Beckham signing shows that US soccer is serious about showing that its going to try its hardest too make soccer more popular in the US, and I applaud them for that


yup,i agree. i mostly watch setanta sports and intl. stuff but i think i'll go down to houston for the first game of the season between dynamo/galaxy just for fun

[1369]

Yeah I already argued with this guy earlier, and he just stopped posting, so whatever.

Argument? Hell, I was just posting my opinion on the signing.

Is this a sign that MLS is serious about importing better talent? I don't think so, so much. MLS owns the league, teams and the revenue (IIRC) and I'd bet that MLS will have some kind of caveat in Beck's contract that they get a cut of his merchandising ala what Real had (Again, IIRC). I think they're looking to cash in on his marketability worldwide.

Another potential problem I see is that for the average Joe who is expecting Beckham to show up and dominate the game will be severely disappointed as Becks position doesn't lend itself to a lot of scoring.

Like I said before, do I think this signing gives MLS a bump? Absolutely. Do I think that it'll matter in the long term in the landscape of professional sports in America? Not so much.

[mardigan]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=399491&root=mls&cc=5901
This is a great article, and when we are stating different opinions I view that as arguing to some extint. I think you were making good valid points and respect your opinion, but I still view it somewhat as arguing.

[mardigan]

And maybe it wont matter in the long run,maybe it will be the only big signing they ever make and the US will forget jsut as quickly as we made a big deal out of it. All im saying is that it gives soccer theCHANCE to be something more in the US, and more soccer nerds like me, its huge. they just mentioned it on NFL Live, when has NFL Live ever mentioned anything about soccer? Its Already making a difference for the MLS

[mardigan]

yup,i agree. i mostly watch setanta sports and intl. stuff but i think i'll go down to houston for the first game of the season between dynamo/galaxy just for fun
I went to a couple Dynamo games last year and they are a ton a fun, and Ching and De Rossario kick ass

[1369]

Mardigan, answer me this, for a true fan how big is this really? So far this year, Real has played something like 9 matches and Becks has only started in 2 of them (I have work contacts all over so it helps to read up on current events that might be of interest to them), he was cut from his national team effectively ending his international career, and from what I've read, comes across as a few tacos short of a Mexican plate.

Again, I am not throwing rocks at soccer, but talent wise, is this that big of a signing?

[mardigan]

Talent wise, probably not. Beckams a one trick pony, I know that. But what hes good at he is the best at. The signing is big for the reason that the MLS is front page material for the 1st time ever. For the 1st time ever, players who the MLS could have never had a chance to ever get, might look at the MLS as a viable option. The Rolling Stones might be old and not have any new songs, but people still freak out when they come to town, just like when the Galaxy come to town now. You really should read the article I posted above, it really is good and expresses things better than I ever could

[SAtown]

Beckham going from Real Madrid to Galaxy is like Jeter going from the Yankees (x100) to a baseball team in Spain (if they even play baseball over there). If America wants to leave soccer in the shadows of the major American sports, then all non-American soccer superstars should ignore America.

Soccer will probably NEVER be as big here as it is in other countries; actually, every other country but the US. The majority of the US population is afraid of the rest of the world catching up to them, and it's hard for them to accept that they aren't the best at a certain sport. These past years have been a rude awakening. We lose at tennis, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, etc.

Another major factor in this is media coverage. At least Fox Sports (NOT FSC) makes an attempt at covering soccer by showing most important games of the EPL, and that's without buying any extra channels/packages. ESPN shows World Cup every 4 years and SOME CL games, but blocks out the major games (ie Milan v Barcelona semi last year) to PPV. If it wasn't for Galavision, Univision, Telefutura, and Telemundo, we wouldn't see ANY soccer on the weekends. In fact, we'd be stuck with all day poker on ESPN2, the 1978 billiards trick shot championship on ESPN classic, and the latest on Bonds and A ROD and TO and Manning etc on ESPN.

End of rant.

[mardigan]

Talent wise, probably not. Beckams a one trick pony, I know that. But what hes good at he is the best at. The signing is big for the reason that the MLS is front page material for the 1st time ever. For the 1st time ever, players who the MLS could have never had a chance to ever get, might look at the MLS as a viable option. The Rolling Stones might be old and not have any new songs, but people still freak out when they come to town, just like when the Galaxy come to town now. You really should read the article I posted above, it really is good and expresses things better than I ever could

[ponky]

I went to a couple Dynamo games last year and they are a ton a fun, and Ching and De Rossario kick ass

awesome, i'm looking forward to it...i went to the world cup in germany, actually just lots and lots of bars, couldn't get into a venue, haha....anyway, i'm curious as to how the dynamo games will be, i've been to several games in the bernabeu (real madrid) and it was one of the most amazing sports events i've ever been to because of the atmosphere

[johnsmith]

If it wasn't for Galavision, Univision, Telefutura, and Telemundo, we wouldn't see ANY soccer on the weekends. In fact, we'd be stuck with all day poker on ESPN2, the 1978 billiards trick shot championship on ESPN classic, and the latest on Bonds and A ROD and TO and Manning etc on ESPN.
End of rant.


I'd take all of those options over watching a soccer game.

[ObiwanGinobili]

I don;t know anyone who doesn't know who David Beckham is.

this is huge for MLS, there will def, be an impact.


oh if only he didn;t have to bring his robot wife with him. ....

[SAtown]

I'd take all of those options over watching a soccer game.

Great, thanks for contributing.

[DarkReign]

I'd take all of those options over watching a soccer game.

:tu

[johnsmith]

Great, thanks for contributing.


As opposed to your brilliant contribution? :rolleyes

[SAtown]

As opposed to your brilliant contribution? :rolleyes

How flattering, thanks. Go watch your poker now.

[mardigan]

Well then why are you even on this thread if you hate soccer that much? I love and will always love soccer. The US more than anywhere else is as much about the name as anything, and Beckham being here is great for all of us soccer fans, even if we know that he isnt the same player. People still went to see Jordan on the Wizards, and every place he plays will sell out. Maybe this changes nothing, but as a soccer fan, it gives me a little reason to smile

[DarkReign]

Well then why are you even on this thread if you hate soccer that much? I love and will always love soccer. The US more than anywhere else is as much about the name as anything, and Beckham being here is great for all of us soccer fans, even if we know that he isnt the same player. People still went to see Jordan on the Wizards, and every place he plays will sell out. Maybe this changes nothing, but as a soccer fan, it gives me a little reason to smile

I wish soccer all the best, just as long as it in no way interferes with my normal sports programing.

Thats why I am posting here. Because the longer soccer fizzles in America, the less I have to care about ever seeing another game on ESPN....ever.

Nothing pisses me off more than the world cup. Intereferes with everything for an audience that isnt even watching.

[mFFL03]

Supposedly, Adidas is willing to pay half of that 250 million through an endorsement. Thats f'ing hefty.

Does anyone know how many mexicans would pay to see/root for Beckham...I'm guessing more than anyone thinks. And those are just the mexicans.

[mardigan]

I wast even directing it at you, it was directed at the comment above you. I realize that most people hate soccer, thats fine, but people trying to rain on my parade that dont even care or know anything about the sport is just stupid

[lefty]

Beckham = way overrated
But he is a good kicker however

[mardigan]

Supposedly, Adidas is willing to pay half of that 250 million through an endorsement. Thats f'ing hefty.

Does anyone know how many mexicans would pay to see/root for Beckham...I'm guessing more than anyone thinks. And those are just the mexicans.
Yeah, no shit, they have statues of him all over Asia, this will make the MLS so many new fans of all shape color and creed

[mardigan]

Beckham = way overrated
But he is a good kicker however
His free kicks are feared, and his crosses are unmatched, plus his ball handling got much better being in the Spanish league

[mFFL03]

Yeah, no shit, they have statues of him all over Asia, this will make the MLS so many new fans of all shape color and creed


Yeah, I'm just saying.....an endorsement to cover the contract is almost unheard of. Usually contracts and endorsements are kept separate.

[DarkReign]

I wast even directing it at you, it was directed at the comment above you. I realize that most people hate soccer, thats fine, but people trying to rain on my parade that dont even care or know anything about the sport is just stupid

Eh, fair enough. Grats to your sport.

[mardigan]

Nah i was agreeing, Beckham pays for himself, shows how popular he his

[timvp]

My prediction:

Won't significantly effect the MLS one iota.

If Pele couldn't spark the US professional soccer market, Beckham damn sure won't.


So 45K showed in Salt Lake to see the match and BYU averages 55K+ for each of their home games. Apeshiat? Don't think so.

Marketing? I don't know. I'd hazard a guess that if you took 10 people off the streets and asked them who David Beckham is, maybe 2 could tell you.

Nothing personal, but I just think that the MLS will remain a 3rd tier draw to the average American viewing public.

This is exactly right. This move is going to blow up in the face of the MLS. No one here knows who the hell Beckham is. 2 out of 10 in the US is being nice.

The MLS will get some extra coverage in a couple early games in which he plays. Then people will stop caring. And then the coverage will go back to how it is now.

The MLS might be able to break even on it if they sign long term endorsement deals now and the spike in attendance lasts for a year or two. But overall, I highly doubt this does anything to bring soccer anywhere close to the NFL, NBA or MLB.

[Mr Dio]

Heard so much today about how he is starting the downside of his career & that he isn't worth $50mil/yr.

Sad but, soccer will NEVER be in the US what it is around the world.
Maybe Jerry jones can help? :lol

[timvp]

lots of athletes, including nba ballers today, make more than jordan did back in the day...of course, this does not include endorsements, in which case, jordan collects about 25 mil a year from nike but even then, shumacher, tiger and peyton earn more than jordan and becks is eighth in overall earnings


btw, it's a 50mil/FIVE year deal....OOPS, i mean 250 mil, fuck, my bad

Uh, what NBA players makes over $30M per year? That's what Jordan made in contract alone.

And don't get :madrun with me. Look it up if you must.

[timvp]

There are some horrible takes in this thread but I spent too much time as it is on soccer to reply more.

[scott]

This is great for the MLS. Hopefully other Euro stars will follow suit (ones who aren't over the hill) and it will raise the level of play in the states and get more kids interested in the sport. And in 20 years we can field a competitive national team.

[scott]

Plus, it means the return of Posh Spice's glorious tits.

[SAtown]

This is great for the MLS. Hopefully other Euro stars will follow suit (ones who aren't over the hill) and it will raise the level of play in the states and get more kids interested in the sport. And in 20 years we can field a competitive national team.

You have a competitive national team, it just needs more exposure. I think they've been invited to the next Copa America, and I think the MLS teams got invited to the next Copa Libertadores. As for the World Cup, everyone had such high expectations of the team this summer, but they were VERY poorly coached.

Anyways, the US won't become any better at soccer with Euro stars coming to the MLS; on the contrary, the US will become better with American stars succeeding in Europe. The reason only European teams (and Brazil & Argentina) win the World Cup is because ALL of their stars play in Europe.

[johngateswhiteley]

...just watched his interview on cold pizza. thought dude was solid and the interview was great. like him...

[johngateswhiteley]

Beckham about to be live on ESPN....any minute from Spain.

[mardigan]

Yeah, he already seemed like a great ambassedor to the sport, and this os already working for the MLS, more coverage than I have ever seen. And people that say Beckham is washed up dont know what they are talking about, he may have lost his starting spot on the best team in the world, but there arent very many players that could start on that team. Cant wait to go see him play in Houston next year

[mardigan]

There are some horrible takes in this thread but I spent too much time as it is on soccer to reply more.
Your takes on this were probably the most horrible on the whole thread, Pele was over 20 years ago, soccer has grown in popularity vastly since then, and Beckham is a completely different story, what he lacks in Peles talent, (altough Pele was 4 years older when he came) he makes up for in marketability. Most people couldnt watch Pele when he came over, so it really didnt make a difference, but Beckham will be everywhere. Granted his salary is very, very high, but will be worth it to potentially change a sport for the better

[johnsmith]

Enjoy your two days in the sun soccer fan, the NFL divisional round playoffs start tomorrow and this will all be forgotten until this old bastard plays in his first game.


When the fuck does MLS start anyway?


After game 1, I have a feeling we won't hear much more about Beckham unless it directly involves his wife.

[johngateswhiteley]

Your takes on this were probably the most horrible on the whole thread, Pele was over 20 years ago, soccer has grown in popularity vastly since then, and Beckham is a completely different story, what he lacks in Peles talent, (altough Pele was 4 years older when he came) he makes up for in marketability. Most people couldnt watch Pele when he came over, so it really didnt make a difference, but Beckham will be everywhere. Granted his salary is very, very high, but will be worth it to potentially change a sport for the better

beckham 31 & pele 37; coming to USA.

[cornbread]

Mardigan, who owns ESPN?

Who has broadcast rights to the MLS?

That's why you're seeing the coverage on ESPN.

Not much coverage here though. (http://sportsline.com/)

I saw the Beckham story on plenty of different channels including Fox News Channel and ABC's Good Morning America. ESPN might be covering the story because of their broadcast rights but they might also be covering it because it's a story that the general public cares to hear about. Other media outlets seem to see it this way .

[cornbread]

I wish soccer all the best, just as long as it in no way interferes with my normal sports programing.

Thats why I am posting here. Because the longer soccer fizzles in America, the less I have to care about ever seeing another game on ESPN....ever.

Nothing pisses me off more than the world cup. Intereferes with everything for an audience that isnt even watching.

I wouldn't worry about this too much. There should be plenty of time for MLS when you consider all of the fishing, bowling, eating, poker, and spelling competitions that ESPN seems to have time to air. There's no way that MLS preempts any of the big 3, unless the games regularly receive the ratings to justify a preemption. And that's pretty unlikely, at least in the near future.

[johnsmith]

This is some funny shit:

Of course, this ignores the "elephant in the living room," perhaps because the pachyderm in question is conked out asleep & laying in a puddle of his own drool after being forced to watch a game of soccer.

Put quite simply, if there were a competition for the "most boring, least action packed sport on Earth," soccer would be a strong contender for the crown. I mean, almost every sport you can imagine has more going on than soccer. Baseball, golf, cricket, WNBA basketball, slow pitch softball, ping pong, freeze tag, foosball, you name it, it's all a thrill-a-minute rocket ride down the side of Mt. Everest compared to footie.

Soccer is like watching the "Blair Witch Project" for the sixth time, counting grains of sand on the beach, or trying to sing every verse of "37,000 bottles of beer on the wall". How all of these "soccer hooligans" can stay awake through an entire game, much less muster the energy to riot afterwards, is beyond me.

Moreover, soccer is such a tedious "slug race on a sheet of flypaper" sport, that the only enjoyment most Americans get out of it is knowing that when we win, the fact that we don't care is like a shiv to the heart of soccer fans from whiny, ungrateful, countries around the world who complain incessantly about our country.

That being said, isn't the real question: "Why the hell is soccer so popular?"

Most people seem to think it's because all you need is a ball and a few sticks to put in place for a goal to get a game going. Personally, I think it has to do with the fact that socialism helps turn people into zombies who enjoy dull, slow paced, effeminate games that may as well have been designed by the sort of knock-kneed milksops who think dodgeball is too competitive of a game for children to play.

So here's an alternative suggestion: try thumb wrestling or mercy tournaments. They're more exciting than "footie" and it'll help prepare you for life in the capitalist system instead of helping to turn you into a socialist weenie who actually knows something about David Beckham beyond the fact that he plays soccer.

PS: I was just kidding about everything except the parts where I emphasized how boring and lame soccer was.

[DarkReign]

:lmao

[mardigan]

Your entitled to your opinion, so I am not going to talk shit. Put soccer down all you want, its one of the first team sports ever invented and sports like football probably wouldnt exist without it. All that said, I know most people dont like it, so it leaves me wondering if it it just makes you feel better to put down a sport other people like, or do you have nothing better to do than wright in a thread about a sport you hate?

[SAtown]

Obviously it's the ENTIRE world against people that think like these two guys. Opinions are respected, but you gotta wonder why some people not only tend to ignore it, but STRONGLY disagree with everything the sport stands for. When it boils down to it, not even the Superbowl, all the games of the World Series, and all the games of the NBA Finals, COMBINED, will amount to the attention given to the World Cup, or even a good Champions League Final.

I bet you guys never played soccer competitively, cuz then you'd realize how much talent it takes to play.

[j-6]

I'm under the impression that MLS is beginning their push toward the big time. We Americans are idiots. As many people watch the Super Bowl for the commercials as for the game, and the most recognizable face in soccer just landed here for $50 mill a season, and over half of that is an endorsement deal? We're about to be bombarded with Beckham's soccer ads and both the curious and the easily impressionable will certainly tune in to actual MLS games to see what the fuss is about.

I think over half the league now plays in their own soccer-specific stadia that seat around 20K a piece. The stadium in Frisco averaged 15K a game for the Dallas MLS team before any of this Beckham hype.

MLS isn't ever going to be the NFL, Major League Baseball, or the NBA; but I can certainly see it becoming more popular than the NHL. There's a lot of major markets that the league hasn't tapped into, and now MLS has a face.

Which we're about to see a helluva lot more of.

[Marcus Bryant]

If there was ever a ripe time for soccer to become something other than an "other sport" in the US, that time is now. MLS seems to have its shit together. You have a growing fanbase for the sport here, especially among Hispanics.

The problem in the past (well, since the 70s) hasn't been that no one plays the game in the states, but rather that you didn't have the audience for it. So athletes were drawn to other sports that had the audience and were heavily marketed.

It's going to take more than just Beckham. The MLS needs to continue to open up the checkbook for European players, and not just necessarily the stars. The more average European league players who view the MLS as a desirable destination, the better the play and the more likely it will be that international fans will tune in to watch matches.

Soccer won't take over US football, baseball, or basketball in popularity in the US, but the potential is there for the MLS to grow into a rather large and successful franchise. The key will be to be good enough to be a viable option for the average Premier League player to play in during his prime. I think for the forseeable future that the MLS is going to see a hefty portion of its growth come from outside the US. But at some point I suspect that the game will start to draw American eyeballs, especially when American athletes can start drawing salaries on par with their counterparts in the NBA, NFL, and MLB.

[TDMVPDPOY]

the only thing the mls will attract is players who are lookin for a payrise, but the competition as a whole will be shit as compared to europe big and local leagues, i dont even think MLS =<english division 1 soccer.

if you americans invest in soccer like you invest in any of your major sports, you will become a powerhouse in the sport unlike ur lame world no.2 ranking comin into germany worldcup hahahaha,

[ShoogarBear]

David Beckham will fan the flames of the soccer craze ignited by Freddie Adu in this country.

$50 million/year? This will end up killing MLS the same way it killed the NASL.

[cornbread]

Is it true that the average MLS salary is around $80,000? I heard this on the radio today.

[dg7md]

Age old question, why is American football called that? Football (as in soccer) makes a lot of sense. I hope this awakens Americans to other sports. Soccer and hockey are some of the best, most exciting and competitive sports around but the market isn't there for the United States.

[SAtown]

Age old question, why is American football called that? Football (as in soccer) makes a lot of sense. I hope this awakens Americans to other sports. Soccer and hockey are some of the best, most exciting and competitive sports around but the market isn't there for the United States.


That's something that doesn't have an explanation. I'm sure they didn't name American style 'football' because of the kickers and punters, cuz they're the scapegoats everytime a team loses.

And you're right. I've been to a ton of soccer games (in Mexico, Spain, & Italy) and there isn't anything more exciting to watch in person.

[Gerryatrics]

Age old question, why is American football called that?

Because American Football started out as a variation of Rugby. It took a couple of decades for things like carrying the ball and forward passing to be introduced that make modern day American Football what it is.

[Gerryatrics]

I'd just like to point out that Beckham isn't getting $50 million a year salary from the LA Galaxy. His salary is somewhere around $10 million a year (Perhaps $10.2 million a year/$51 million over five years?). The $250 million over five years figure is an estimation of how much he might make with his combined salary and commercial endorsements and whatnot.

[johnsmith]

Age old question, why is American football called that? Football (as in soccer) makes a lot of sense. I hope this awakens Americans to other sports. Soccer and hockey are some of the best, most exciting and competitive sports around but the market isn't there for the United States.


Hockey is hands down the best sport to watch in person. I miss my Avalanche so damn much.

[johnsmith]

Obviously it's the ENTIRE world against people that think like these two guys.


Well, except for America anyway. :lol

[scott]

Is the power of Posh Spice's jugs lost on you people?

[johngateswhiteley]

Is the power of Posh Spice's jugs lost on you people?

her legs kind of remind me of this girl that liked me in college, mmm, she was hot. but she didn't have big fake boobies like Posh....and, yes, the power is lost on these people.

whats funny, is that these two will automatically be the hottest couple in hollywood b/c they are new and people think they are hot. the media will go nuts....not that i give a shit.

[johngateswhiteley]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=399688&cc=5901

...Real Madrid coach is going to bench Beckham indefinitely. maybe he'll come to the US sooner!!!?

[DarkReign]

Hockey is hands down the best sport to watch in person. I miss my Avalanche so damn much.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Wings > Avs

Hockey is the best sport. Period. Not even close. Its faster, harder and the players are the toughest sons-a-bitches to walk the streets.

[johnsmith]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Wings > Avs

Hockey is the best sport. Period. Not even close. Its faster, harder and the players are the toughest sons-a-bitches to walk the streets.


Personally I think you could also argue that they are the most conditioned athletes as well.


Fuck your Red Wings by the way.

Don't you miss days when the Avs weren't a mediocre team and that was the most kick ass rivalry in sports for a few years? That was so much damn fun.

[GrandeDavid]

My prediction:

Won't significantly effect the MLS one iota.

If Pele couldn't spark the US professional soccer market, Beckham damn sure won't.

Pele was already in his late 30s and it wasn't Pele's fault that soccer didn't catch fire. The NASL was terribly mismanaged and was in a different era. Nowadays, its all about mass communication, internet, globablization, i.e. a completely different era. By no means am I under the illusion that David Beckham will stir a soccer revolution in the U.S., but I think that his coming over at a reasonable age and clearly as the most renowkned active sports icon in the world right now in terms of marketability, it can only help. I hope it works out for soccer in America. I want soccer to grow in the U.S. and would be damn proud if Beckham were to become a seed of some sort to help grow the popularity of the sport in America. My hopes are tempered, obviously. We shall see.

[Texas_Ranger]

Beckham in LA .:rollin

[DarkReign]

Don't you miss days when the Avs weren't a mediocre team and that was the most kick ass rivalry in sports for a few years? That was so much damn fun.

Yes. Those games and series are legendary for me.

[Clandestino]

pele will bring soccer to the u.s., the world cup in 94 will bring soccer to the u.s., soccer fields will bring it to the us.. .fact is, many youngsters play soccer growing up, but then move on to other sports.

americans don't like it. and IT WILL NEVER BE POPULAR in the u.s. also, many newspeople went out to poll people to ask about becks contract and most said, "Who is david beckham." and i am sure the people who knew who he was described him as the spice girl's husband.

[Clandestino]

oh wait, i forgot... it will be popular in the u.s. in about 20 to 30 years when minorities make up the majority of the u.s. population.

[resistanze]

^^ Oh that dreaded day.

[Clandestino]

it will be fine bc i am a minority!

[SAtown]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=399688&cc=5901

...Real Madrid coach is going to bench Beckham indefinitely. maybe he'll come to the US sooner!!!?

Beckham won't be coming to the US any sooner. He's not playing any games anymore, but he's still practicing with Real Madrid every day.

[kobe_bryant]

the biggest question that no one has asked is............


will spurstalk give soccer its own board? or will it forever be stuck in "other sports"

[mardigan]

Im sure it will be stuck in other sports, MMA will get one before soccer does

[SAtown]

the biggest question that no one has asked is............


will spurstalk give soccer its own board? or will it forever be stuck in "other sports"

So spurstalk will give soccer it's long-due credit? :lol FINALLY!

[Marcus Bryant]

Pele was already in his late 30s and it wasn't Pele's fault that soccer didn't catch fire. The NASL was terribly mismanaged and was in a different era. Nowadays, its all about mass communication, internet, globablization, i.e. a completely different era. By no means am I under the illusion that David Beckham will stir a soccer revolution in the U.S., but I think that his coming over at a reasonable age and clearly as the most renowkned active sports icon in the world right now in terms of marketability, it can only help. I hope it works out for soccer in America. I want soccer to grow in the U.S. and would be damn proud if Beckham were to become a seed of some sort to help grow the popularity of the sport in America. My hopes are tempered, obviously. We shall see.

Where Beckham helps is that he gives credibility to the league for other top European players. The greater the # of players the world recognizes playing in the MLS the larger the audience and the larger the revenue, which can partly go into promoting the league in the US. In addition, that would provide the opportunity for the run of the mill American players in the league to start cashing in and I think you'd see a lot of young athletes in this country stay with soccer instead of dismissing it for other more prominent sports. I wouldn't dismiss the fact that Americans love team sports as well as that millions of Americans grew up playing soccer. Plus you have a league managed properly. This is the best time for the sport in the US and it's about time.

[ShoogarBear]

Giving one guy $50 million a year don't count as a league which is "managed properly" in my book.

Let's say some other players decide to follow Beckham. What will they want? $20 million a year? $10 million a year? And these will be guys that few people in this country will have heard of, and will have minimal incremental impact on attendance. And if the average salary is really $80K as previously stated, this would be a recipe for disaster.

Unless they've jimmied the numbers somehow so that the $50 million isn't really salary but includes endorsements, etc.

[Spurologist]

Giving one guy $50 million a year don't count as a league which is "managed properly" in my book.

Let's say some other players decide to follow Beckham. What will they want? $20 million a year? $10 million a year? And these will be guys that few people in this country will have heard of, and will have minimal incremental impact on attendance. And if the average salary is really $80K as previously stated, this would be a recipe for disaster.

Unless they've jimmied the numbers somehow so that the $50 million isn't really salary but includes endorsements, etc.

Correct.

The bulk of Beckham's salary is no where near $50 million. The initial propsed deal for the move from Real Madrid to LA was $36 million for a four year contract. This is 9$ million a year. It turns out the contract is now a 5 year contract but his actual annual income is "high single millions." Single millions is still unprecedented in the mls. I think the highest paid MLS player ever is Palencia (Mexican forward) with 1.36 mill. However, high single millions is around what the top players in the world make.

$250 million ($50 mill a year) is simply the proposed amount of what he could potentially earn when you factor in commercial endorsements, salary that the LA Galaxy will be paying him and what the MLS had to pay Real Madrid to complete the transfer.

There's some Player rule the MLS just introduced that says they can only pay for about half a million of a player's salary. They just added this rule so when clubs go after highly touted players in the world like Beckham, the MLS doesn't run bankrupt (:lol burned of their money). Some people call it the 'Beckham rule'.

Therefore, MLS pays about $500,000 and the LA Galaxy pay the high milions of about $8-$10 million. So where does the rest of money come from? Yep. Commercial endorsements, Attendance, etc etc. He could even earn more money from sponspors. There have been talks that the MLS might want to brand their soccer jerseys like all of the major European clubs have. There's no telling how much the LA Galaxy/Beckham could get from that. There's also talks that he has really come to States for Hollywood. Make movies, reality TV whatever.

Whatever his motives are, he is going to be a rich man. As far as what other players might want for joining an MLS club, I don't think it'll reach a point where money will be an issue. He is not the best soccer player in the world by far but he is the face of it. People in the US might not know who he is now but they will as soon as he lands in the US. There will be a huge media blitz. It will be far greater attention than there was with Freddy Adu.

He won't and can't do it alone and there won't be too much of an incremental increase in attendance but it raise the profile of US soccer big time. It will also open the doors for other big time foreign soccer players who have also given thought to playing in the US.

Beckham is only 31 and is still one of the best strikers of the ball in the world. I hope he doesn't think it will be a cake walk. The MLS has very good, strongth and athletic defenders. He will have to adjust.

I am exciting to see what will transpire. It will be interesting to see what Becks can do.

[Marcus Bryant]

Was the NBA improperly managed when MJ was making more than double the 2nd most highly compensated player in the league? The MLS has set up an entertaining league and secured a variety of endorsement deals. Again, the key is not Beckham, but the ability to attract other European pros.

[ShoogarBear]

There's no comparison to Jordan and the NBA. Beckham is making perhaps ONE ORDER OF MAGNITUDE higher than the next highest paid player. And Jordan got his money AFTER he had proven his worth.

[Marcus Bryant]

...and Beckham hasn't?

[ShoogarBear]

Not to MLS or the US market he hasn't.

[johnsmith]

From what I understand, Beckham is pretty much washed up anyway.


Eh, soccer is gay anyway.

[mardigan]

Not washed up, not gay, just not for everyone. I fucking hate watching baseball, but I respect it as a sport that others enjoy

[johngateswhiteley]

From what I understand, Beckham is pretty much washed up anyway.


Eh, soccer is gay anyway.

:nope Beckham is not washed up....just hasn't gotten along with Real Madrid it seems. i think he still has a lot of game in him.

[themvp]

Good luck to Becks.

[Josepatches]

Actually Beckam doesn't have enough level to be important in the best leagues in Europe.Maybe he could play good in LA but I think that he wants more to be an actor.
And soccer is sport that more is played in the world so maybe the world is full of gays.
I'm not gay but I do not believe that it's a problem to be or not to be and much less an insult.Open your mind

[Mayhem]

I think Becks still has game, but seems to have had some difficult times with not making it back into the England squad and new Madrid coach. I wouldn't blame him going to play in the MLS where he can be the man, and look after his family with the money he will be making.

[mardigan]

Not many players in the world could start for Madrid, doesnt mean Becks is washed up, he just realizes that he might be able to change the perception of soccer in the US, maybe it works, maybe not, but either way its worth the chance

[MannyIsGod]

Bump!

[Venti Quattro]

RMAO's going to be all over his ass now that he's relevant again.

[Muser]

PSG are close to signing him apparently.

[MannyIsGod]

I"m pretty sure at this point its PSG or the Galaxy. Just read a report the Galaxy just offered Drogba a contract and if thats the case then Beckham is gone.

[lefty]

RMAO's going to be all over his ass now that he's relevant again.
I fucking hope not

[Libri]

Watch him do a Figo and go to Chivas USA.

[Libri]

I"m pretty sure at this point its PSG or the Galaxy. Just read a report the Galaxy just offered Drogba a contract and if thats the case then Beckham is gone.

A Drogba Keane frontline would be sick.

[TimmehC]

Seriously, Drogba? That is effing ridiculous.

[sonic21]

hope he won't come to psg. I liked him, he was a classy player but i don't think he can be successful in europe anymore.

[TDMVPDPOY]

250m only 1 cup...lol

[MannyIsGod]

The Galaxy made Beckham's salary over several times. They came out like bandits in the deal and MLS in general won. David Beckham sold out stadiums that otherwise never sold out.

[Phenomanul]

The Galaxy made Beckham's salary over several times. They came out like bandits in the deal and MLS in general won. David Beckham sold out stadiums that otherwise never sold out.

:tu

Even a footballing stud like, Thierry Henry has created only about a fifth of Becks' effect...

[MannyIsGod]

Hell, Beckham even started Kiera Knightly's career! :lol

[Muser]

:tu

Even a footballing stud like, Thierry Henry has created only about a fifth of Becks' effect...

He was a stud a few year ago, not so much nowadays.

Would love to see Beckham back in England though, he'd suit a mid table team like Stoke.

[Spurologist]

I can only imagine what the public opinion would be if he lost the final

[Venti Quattro]

Is Becks coming with the Galaxy to Manila?

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah - he's under contract for the end of the year so he'll be playing in the friendlies (I think).

[tlongII]

I still can't believe the Timbers beat the Galaxy 3-0 and I was there! :lol

[scott]

Report is that Posh Spice is telling Becks she refuses to move from LA.

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/12730/galaxy-beckhams-wife-wants-to-stay

[Muser]

She's such a cunt, I can't stand that bitch.