Beckham to sign with Galaxy (1 Viewer)

[MSUSousaphone]

MADRID, Spain -- Former England captain David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and sign a five-year deal for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy, he told Reuters on Thursday.


"This week Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract for a further two seasons," Beckham told Reuters.

"After discussing several options with my family and my advisors to either stay here in Madrid or join other major British and European teams I have decided to join LA Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=399465&cc=5901

 

[killah]

This is going to be a big deal for soccer in the US much like when Pele played in NY. It will also bring much attention to MLS internationally if for nothing eles the novalty of it all.

 

[jdf]

This is going to be a big deal for soccer in the US much like when Pele played in NY. It will also bring much attention to MLS internationally if for nothing eles the novalty of it all.

I remember seeing Pele and the Cosmos play the Toronto Blizzard when I was 7 or 8. I thought it was the coolest thing ever back then. The Super 8 video my dad was taking at the game is in a closet somewhere at my Mom's house, I'll have to dig it out.

 

[Waymer]

Meh. Aging star. It will be great for fans in L.A. that like soccer, but it won't mean much else really.

 

[TulsaSaint]

I remember seeing Pele and the Cosmos play the Toronto Blizzard when I was 7 or 8. I thought it was the coolest thing ever back then. The Super 8 video my dad was taking at the game is in a closet somewhere at my Mom's house, I'll have to dig it out.

I suppose this is good and all. I heard Ronaldo was thinking about leaving Brazil to play for a minor league team he was going to start in Miami, also. I just find it vaguely amusing that when they get old and washed up in Europe, the players always come here, where they can finish their career with a big contract, when the European clubs already know they are not worth that much money.

 

[Saintlady]

Oh brother, you think we saw them, mainly the wife, in the tabloids before, they will be all over them now.

Victoria needs to gain some weight!

 

[cdogg]

Becks still has some good years left, its not like he's 40.

 

[MSUSousaphone]

Yeah, 31 is not aging.

The rising stars will ALWAYS want to be in Europe. Until now, the youngest we would get of the great players would be in the 36-40 range. Beckham's signing, plus the new 'Beckham Rule' should be able to bring that average age down a few years and increase the level of playing the the MLS.

 

[efil4stnias]

$250 million dollar deal? over 5 years? Where exactly are the Galaxy going to get this money? So i see Beckham and 10 other club level players?

 

[DoubleSaint]

$250 million dollar deal? over 5 years? Where exactly are the Galaxy going to get this money?

Shirt sales, merchandising, sponsorship deals. TV Deals (especially for TV over here) and ticket sales. David Beckham makes football clubs, sorry 'soccer clubs' a lot of money through just that alone. They'll get that money back easily.

Beckham is overrated though.

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Shirt sales, merchandising, sponsorship deals. TV Deals (especially for TV over here) and ticket sales. David Beckham makes football clubs, sorry 'soccer clubs' a lot of money through just that alone. They'll get that money back easily.

-- I disagree; I think MLS is severely overrating the popularity of soccer in the United States, even with Mr. Posh Spice attached. There's no way they'll recoup $250 million, even if you factor in "positive" PR and marketing for the league, IMO......

 

[MSUSousaphone]

Before going to an MLS game, I would have thought that, but after I went to an FC Dallas game, I saw it was actuall pretty well attended.

I TiVoed the game (it was on ESPN2) and watched it when I got home and the cameras only happened to pan over the few empty sections in the stadium....conspiracy....?

And I'm sure attendance is better in other cities.

EDIT: I should also add that the only adults at the game were there with 3-4 kids, it was mostly 14-28 year olds. When these people bring their kids into it and so on and son, soccer might be on more of a rise than people think.

And on the merchandise thing, we're talking about a guy (Beckham) who has statues in Asia that people regularly show up to worship....he will sell merch.

 

[BOOBOO]

Becks still has some good years left, its not like he's 40.

what's wrong with 40?

 

[Saintlady]

what's wrong with 40?

It's a sport thing.