Counterpoint: Beckham Signing is Good
$250 million total. $50 million a year. $1.3 million a week. Yes, it's a huge number, no matter how you slice it. Enormous. Inconceivable.
But I cling to a belief that L.A. must know what it is doing. Most of that money is not for Beckham to play soccer. In fact, Reuters reports that he's only getting $50 million for five years just for the soccer part. The rest of the deal is apparently being financed by Beckham's worldwide endorsements, who see his potential in bursting into the American market.
L.A. and MLS are gettting marketing power. Beckham is not the greatest player ever to play soccer. He probably was never the greatest player in the world during his career. He is one of the greatest free kick specialists and a brilliant passer and crosser. He is the most famous soccer player ever, which probably makes him the most recognizable athlete in world history.
This is all about marketing. It's already working. Right now there are 1,503 "related articles" to this story on news.google.com. It will be front page news in every paper in London tomorrow.
MLS has moved up in prestige with one single swoop. This immediately opens the door to other late-20s, early-30s Internationals to come play the game in America.
Beckham is 31. He isn't just another late-30s European coming over to postpone retirement. Beckham was the best player for England at the most recent World Cup. That was less than a year ago. He has been injured once since then, but he's returned from that injury. Unlike any other aging European import, Beckham will be the best player on the field.
The MLS will not be ruined. LA Galaxy will get its games on more televisions worldwide. Ticket sales will increase for Beckham's games. LA Galaxy gear will be purchased around the world.
A couple key notes about the current MLS structure. The Designated Player Rule, known as the Beckham Rule long before this day, allows each team to sign one player without their contract counting towards the $1.9 million salary cap. The MLS is gradually phasing out of its single-entity ownership structure. (Red Bull paid $100 million for the MetroStars.) I suspect the entire league will somehow pitch in for the Beckham fee though, since the entire league is benefiting. But the Designated Player Rule will prevent a NASL-like demise.
So yeah, I'm giving it a thumbs up.
But I cling to a belief that L.A. must know what it is doing. Most of that money is not for Beckham to play soccer. In fact, Reuters reports that he's only getting $50 million for five years just for the soccer part. The rest of the deal is apparently being financed by Beckham's worldwide endorsements, who see his potential in bursting into the American market.
L.A. and MLS are gettting marketing power. Beckham is not the greatest player ever to play soccer. He probably was never the greatest player in the world during his career. He is one of the greatest free kick specialists and a brilliant passer and crosser. He is the most famous soccer player ever, which probably makes him the most recognizable athlete in world history.
This is all about marketing. It's already working. Right now there are 1,503 "related articles" to this story on news.google.com. It will be front page news in every paper in London tomorrow.
MLS has moved up in prestige with one single swoop. This immediately opens the door to other late-20s, early-30s Internationals to come play the game in America.
Beckham is 31. He isn't just another late-30s European coming over to postpone retirement. Beckham was the best player for England at the most recent World Cup. That was less than a year ago. He has been injured once since then, but he's returned from that injury. Unlike any other aging European import, Beckham will be the best player on the field.
The MLS will not be ruined. LA Galaxy will get its games on more televisions worldwide. Ticket sales will increase for Beckham's games. LA Galaxy gear will be purchased around the world.
A couple key notes about the current MLS structure. The Designated Player Rule, known as the Beckham Rule long before this day, allows each team to sign one player without their contract counting towards the $1.9 million salary cap. The MLS is gradually phasing out of its single-entity ownership structure. (Red Bull paid $100 million for the MetroStars.) I suspect the entire league will somehow pitch in for the Beckham fee though, since the entire league is benefiting. But the Designated Player Rule will prevent a NASL-like demise.
So yeah, I'm giving it a thumbs up.
posted by Prof. A at 4:34 PM
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