Beckham to sign with Galaxy

[Breakwood]

Does anyone know if he'll be wearing 7 or 23? I want to order my first MLS replica jersey.

Just a note, Rumour has it that the Galaxy are planning to introduce a new look, so most likely a new jersey. Just a heads up.

P.S. Davids to follow Becks to the MLS?

And rumours have it that Ronaldo could be leaving for New York as well. Here we come NASL 2

[Alphabet Man]

Good for them to sign although his show did have Becks saying he wants to retire knowing he has played for the two biggest clubs in the world in Man Utd and Real Madrid. I guess people change their minds.

I want to see an Australian A-League All-Star team (basically the Socceroos Second XI that play the Asian teams or Melbourne Victory) v USA MLS All-Star XI

Two leagues of similar nature.

[Brian in Boston]

If your trying to build the popularity of American Soccer, I can't think of a better move.

I can: spend money on developing better quality American players, rather than importing waning stars from overseas.

The Cosmos in the 70's would sellout Giants Stadium after they brought in Pele and Chinaglia.

How many fans did Pele, Chinaglia and the Cosmos draw to Giants Stadium last season? Oh, that's right... the North American Soccer League folded. Why? Because the wholesale import of overpriced, over-the-hill talent to a few NASL clubs - most notably, the Cosmos -resulted in a momentary burst of popularity for professional soccer in the United States. Blinded by the temporary lime-light, the league expanded far too quickly for its own good. Soon, the league found that the over-the-hill, imported talent had been spread to thin. Worse still, a stable fan-base still hadn't been built beyond the sport's die-hards. Soon thereafter, the ignominious decline of the sport's fortunes began. Eventually, even the Cosmos' deep-pocketed owners at Warner Communications began to question the wisdom of spending big money on faded soccer "stars" and divested themselves of the team.

You can't build any brand by being timid and sitting on your hands.

And you can't build a solid, long-lasting brand by offering up "flash" over "substance".

A couple more stars from Europe and the profile of the league could rise nationally and internationally.

Or, American sports fans could come to realize what foreign soccer fans already know: that the vast majority of so-called international soccer "stars" who are going to be willing to come to Major League Soccer are available because they're older, their talent is waning and their value to truly competitive international soccer sides has diminished.

Bottom line? If Beckham were the "end all, be all" of international soccer, he wouldn't be riding the pine for Real Madrid, he'd have top-flight international club sides falling all over themselves to sign him and - most importantly - he wouldn't even be considering Major League Soccer as a destination.

[FiddySicks]

Landon Donovan and David Beckham on the same team in a lower league is gonna be deadly. Looks like LA is gonna snag a few MLS Cups.

[mydogisgomez]

If your trying to build the popularity of American Soccer, I can't think of a better move.

I can: spend money on developing better quality American players, rather than importing waning stars from overseas.

The Cosmos in the 70's would sellout Giants Stadium after they brought in Pele and Chinaglia.

How many fans did Pele, Chinaglia and the Cosmos draw to Giants Stadium last season? Oh, that's right... the wholesale import of overpriced, over-the-hill talent resulted in a momentary burst of popularity for professional soccer in the United States, followed by the ignominious decline of the sport's fortunes once fans realized that only the Cosmos had the financial wherewithal to sign bigger names.

You can't build any brand by being timid and sitting on your hands.

And you can't build a solid, long-lasting brand by offering up "flash" over "substance".

A couple more stars from Europe and the profile of the league could rise nationally and internationally.

Or, American sports fans could come to realize what foreign soccer fans already know: that the vast majority of so-called international soccer "stars" who are going to be willing to come to Major League Soccer are available because they're older, their talent is waning and their value to truly competitive international soccer sides has diminished.

Bottom line? If Beckham were the "end all, be all" of international soccer, he wouldn't be riding the pine for Real Madrid, he'd have top-flight international club sides falling all over themselves to sign him and - most importantly - he wouldn't even be considering Major League Soccer as a destination.

I think young American players could learn a ton from playing with and against European Stars in their latter years. You would have to agree Matt Leinart is in a good situation learning from Kurt Warner, etc, etc.. Most of the young soccer talent is not good enough to play in the Premier League, why not bring some of those guys over here, teach the kids something and create a buzz about the league? You think league officials are happy with the status quo? I guess you are. The NHL has surely been hurt by bringing over Europeans instead of letting just Canadians and a handful of Americans play, haven't they? It's all gotta start somewhere and Beckham is not a bad place to start.

[lost_limey]

Does anyone know if he'll be wearing 7 or 23? I want to order my first MLS replica jersey.

Just a note, Rumour has it that the Galaxy are planning to introduce a new look, so most likely a new jersey. Just a heads up.

Thanks for the heads up. I guess I'll go ahead and make my first MLS purchase for my team (DC United) and get a Beckham next season

[leedsunited]

I always thought that the MLS was the proper home for his "talents".

Scummer. Too bad he won't be plying his trade in the USL.

[Brian in Boston]

I think young American players could learn a ton from playing with and against European Stars in their latter years.

In Beckham, we're talking about one guy whose talent appears to have diminished to taking free kicks. Young American players would stand a better chance of learning from him by attending one of his clinics than they will by hoping to play against him on the MLS pitch.

Seriously, when I talk about spending money on developing American talent, I'm talking about taking the millions of dollars that are going into paying Beckham's salary and, instead, investing it into youth clubs and academies affiliated with each MLS franchise. I'm talking about identifying and developing talent at levels prior to MLS, so that the overall talent level of American soccer improves. Ten guys getting to take the pitch as Beckham's Galaxy teammates, plus one other guy per opposing MLS club marking Beckham each match isn't going to come close to developing young American talent.

You would have to agree Matt Leinart is in a good situation learning from Kurt Warner, etc, etc..

Leinart was a more naturally-talented, better-trained quarterback than Warner the day he signed with the Cardinals. Beyond that, yes... I'm sure that Kurt Warner can utilize his experience to teach Leinart about mechanics, breaking down NFL-calibre defenses, etc. However, that's taking place off the field and there are any number of offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches in the NFL who could impart the same wisdom to Leinart for less money than a veteran NFL quarterback is pulling down.

Same deal with Beckham. One-on-one, I'm sure that he can impart a great deal of knowledge to young American soccer talent. That said, neither MLS or the Galaxy needed to spend $250-million to secure that knowledge. Hell, Beckham's already running an academy on the grounds of the Home Depot Center. One would hope that the Galaxy were planning to coordinate the Beckham Academy's program into their club development activities. One would hope that the staff of the Beckham Academy would be trained to impart Becks' theories on soccer to the students attending the facility.

Most of the young soccer talent is not good enough to play in the Premier League, why not bring some of those guys over here, teach the kids something and create a buzz about the league?

There are any number of younger EPL pros with skills and experience greater than that of American players who could have been brought over to MLS for a hell of a lot less money than what Beckham is going to be compensated.

As for "buzz", I'm more interested in seeing American soccer develop solid, long-term support. "Buzz" implies to me shallow, surface excitement. Major League Baseball, the NBA, NFL and NHL can afford to make some decisions based solely on creating "buzz" because they've been established in the American public consciousness for a significant amount of time. They've established a solid place for themselves in the North American sports firmament. Frankly, MLS isn't in that position yet. MLS and American soccer need to make decisions based on a hell of a lot more than creating "buzz". They need to make decisions based on building the home-grown talent level in the sport, because that is what will ultimately fuel an American passion for the sport: knowing that a significant percentage of the world's premier players are American players. American soccer isn't there yet... and I don't believe that the Beckham signing is going to get us there.

You think league officials are happy with the status quo?

Is that what this is about? MLS league officials are getting antsy because American soccer's "status quo" doesn't capture a big enough share of SportsCenter's nightly highlights? So the powers-that-be have decided that they'll artificially create some "buzz" around MLS by seeing how often they can get Becks and Posh on Entertainment Tonight and eXtra? Well, frankly, that strikes me as a mistake. Because the attendant "buzz" will prove to be short-lived.

The NHL has surely been hurt by bringing over Europeans instead of letting just Canadians and a handful of Americans play, haven't they?

The National Hockey League was already the world's elite level of professional ice hockey competition before European players made their way to North America, so obviously the impact of Euro talent coming to the NHL wasn't detrimental.

In other words, an analogous scenario to Beckham coming to MLS would have been to invoke the example of older Canadian and American NHL players taking their waning skills to a fledgeling ice hockey league in Europe.

It's all gotta start somewhere...

The question is where it will finish. How did importing older, past-their-prime stars at premium contract prices work out for the North American Soccer League long-term?

... and Beckham is not a bad place to start.

Apparently MLS executives and the Los Angeles Galaxy think so. Real Madrid? Beckham wasn't even getting the chance to "start" there.

Look... I hope that I'm wrong. However, what I see is that Major League Soccer and one of the circuit's member-franchises are paying big money for a past-his-prime international player. What I see is America's domestic soccer league investing in short-term "flash", rather than long-term "substance". I see that as a mistake. Only time will tell.

[Guest]

I give MLS five years before it finally gives up the ghost. America just doesn't do pro soccer. England has Chelsea, Man U, and Arsenal. We have "The Columbus Crew." I see this as more of a downgrade for David Beckham than an upgrade for MLS.

[Fred T. Jane]

I can: spend money on developing better quality American players, rather than importing waning stars from overseas.

...so they can flee to Europe at the first possible moment, rather than languish in a league on par with League One/low-level Coca-Cola Championship? That is, unless they're a useless overrated midfielder who's too scared to go play in a real league where he might actually not be the star of his side and have to apply himself, then a middling MLS will be perfect for them... (Read: Landycakes)

[DEAD!]

If you thought the New York media are tough on A-Rod, you haven't seen anything yet....

About the move: I think the MLS was already at a point where it was going steadily and yet to see it's full potential in the North American sporting landscape, but I don't think Beckham is the answer for the MLS to reach it's full potential, but it doesn't hurt. What is lacking in North America is a way of getting youngsters into the club system very early like the clubs in Europe who scout 12, 13 year olds and put them into their system. But, with the pro sports the way they are in North America and their attitudes towards 18 year old college athletes, the concept, unless it's an exceptional talent would would be forwned upon.

I just hope this doesn't lead to a bunch of aging overseas stars trying to grab money in North America like the NASL. Perhaps have Ronaldo come to an Eastern Conference team (by that I mean New York ) and it should end there. All the leagues in Europe have about a couple of internationally recognised players anyways, by recognised I mean someone the average person can recognise like, say, Ronaldo and Ronaldhinio. The average sports fan doesn't recognise Fabio Cannavaro if you put up a picture of him. So, this is clearly a publicity move by the LA Galaxy even though I still think Beckham is still a good player with at least a couple of good years ahead of him.

[Squeaks4]

$250 Million for the same guy I saw in the world cup? Damn.

[Alphabet Man]

Well Becks' signing has already created a few threads about MLS.

Hopefully talk of the MLS will continue around the USA.

[mydogisgomez]

Brian in Boston, you make good points, but when I say "buzz", I mean more of a spark or jump start, not a flash in the pan. People may show up to see Beckham, realize that they had a great time and don't remember anything he did, and come back because it was fun. The more fans, the more revenue, the bigger TV deals, the better players. Good for everybody. $250 mil is crazy for anyone (yes you too ARod), but the gamble may pay off. Do you think Brett Favre could make some Europeans notice NFL Europe if the Frankfurt Galaxy paid him stupid money to go play a couple of years if he decided to retire from the NFL? I think many people would go to a "Football" game because it might be their only chance to see in person a NFL legend. He might throw 5 interceptions, but the people might find something cool about the game and want to return because they had a great time.

It certainly is a roll of the dice, but it will definitely put MLS in front of a lot more people's faces for the first time.

[Saturn]

Landon Donovan and David Beckham on the same team in a lower league is gonna be deadly. Looks like LA is gonna snag a few MLS Cups.

Umm....no.

[jkrdevil]

Brian in Boston, you make good points, but when I say "buzz", I mean more of a spark or jump start, not a flash in the pan. People may show up to see Beckham, realize that they had a great time and don't remember anything he did, and come back because it was fun. The more fans, the more revenue, the bigger TV deals, the better players. Good for everybody. $250 mil is crazy for anyone (yes you too ARod), but the gamble may pay off. Do you think Brett Favre could make some Europeans notice NFL Europe if the Frankfurt Galaxy paid him stupid money to go play a couple of years if he decided to retire from the NFL? I think many people would go to a "Football" game because it might be their only chance to see in person a NFL legend. He might throw 5 interceptions, but the people might find something cool about the game and want to return because they had a great time.

It certainly is a roll of the dice, but it will definitely put MLS in front of a lot more people's faces for the first time.

Your right people will come to see the legend but they won't end up coming back after he is gone because of the poor quality of play. See NASL (and the WHA, WFL, USFL and other "rebel" leagues for established US spectator sports). People came to see Pele and the Cosmos in the NASL but when other teams came to town attendance was dead and it ended up killing the league. Instead of spending that much on bringing over a washed up player spend it on developing and then keeping the top American players. Guess what then you have multiple stars across the league that would be in their prime instead of just one who is washed up.

The hockey comparison is off. First off like Brian said the NHL is the top league in the world. Second the European players coming over aren't in their late 30's and washed up. They are in their early 20's and aren't stars yet. They will play in in North America while they are in their prime and will become stars here.

Soccer has an uphill battle unlike football, basketball, baseball, and hockey soccer does not have the tradition of being a spectator sport. What MLS needs to do is invest in the development of American players and then spend the money to keep them in America and raise the level of play in the league. Once the level is raised then bring European and top players in the world over in their prime to establish the league as the best in the world. That is the only way spectator soccer will grow, not by brining in a washed up player from another league.

[Alphabet Man]

Reading the last few posts, it reminds me off Romario. Came over to play for Adealide United in the A-League on a four-week guest player contract - was a major flop. He netted one goal in his last match and the other 3 really struggled although he did show at times what he is capable of.

But where is the money coming from? The Sun in London newspaper worked it out to be $125 a minute. And then he says he isn't in it for the money.

[Fred T. Jane]

Reading the last few posts, it reminds me off Romario. Came over to play for Adealide United in the A-League on a four-week guest player contract - was a major flop. He netted one goal in his last match and the other 3 really struggled although he did show at times what he is capable of.

But where is the money coming from? The Sun in London newspaper worked it out to be $125 a minute. And then he says he isn't in it for the money.

The deal is actually 5 years/$51 million, or $10.2 million per year, with the rest coming from endorsements he already has. The Galaxy pay $400,000 of his contract, and the rest come from the owner's pockets.

[Breakwood]

Reading the last few posts, it reminds me off Romario. Came over to play for Adealide United in the A-League on a four-week guest player contract - was a major flop. He netted one goal in his last match and the other 3 really struggled although he did show at times what he is capable of.

But where is the money coming from? The Sun in London newspaper worked it out to be $125 a minute. And then he says he isn't in it for the money.

And now Romario plays for Miami in the USL First Division (US 2nd Division)

[gosioux76]

I might have missed this in an earlier thread, but an AP feature on the wires now says the Galaxy is not only working on a big shirt sponor deal but they're also expected to unveil a new logo.

Apologies if I've overlooked this elsewhere.