Beckham comes to America: a red-letter day for Galaxy, MLS and US soccer
Washington, DC (Moldova.ORG) -- On Jan. 11, 2007 it was official: David Beckham will play in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MSL). Beckham, 31, the world's most recognizable soccer (internationally known as ‘Football’) star, joins Los Angeles Galaxy in August for a five-year contract. According to Galaxy officials, Beckham, under this contract, can get somewhere over $250 million -- a combination of salary and "commercial opportunities".
Beckham, world's best free kick-takers, will be an important asset for the Galaxy, which is doing not so great after not being able to get to playoffs last season, for the first time in league’s history.
It is a sign that MLS is getting strength in the international football market. Through Beckham's name, Galaxy, a little known club outside the US, is expected to be recognized around the world. Besides, with the arrival of starts like Beckham in the American soccer, MLS have good chance to raise in the eyes of American sports fans, thus, soccer competing with prime-time sports like American football, baseball, and basketball.
But, according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl, there are downsides to bringing Beckham to U.S. "Overspending on international stars is what eventually doomed the old North American Soccer League, and there's no going back for MLS after this move," argues Wahl. Nevertheless, the expectations are positive: "Beckham's pride will keep him from loafing.... I think he'll try to show people in Madrid and in England that he's still worth something on the field," said Wahl.
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| David Beckham in New York, bending it across the Brooklyn Bridge during a photo shoot for Adidas. Sports Illustrated |
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