Beckham to MLS?

[SteelBlue]

I heard today he's headed for the LA Galaxy? I know he's nearing the end of his career and I think this could be a brilliant move for him. He's one of the most famous and recognizable people on earth except in the US. I think he knows that if he can make it big in the US then he's officially conquered the world (as far as advertising goes).

[mpfunk]

I refuse to acknowledge that the MLS is a professional sport, so I consider this post miscategorized.

[cougjunkie]

5 years 250 million, i dont think MLS can afford that, that is an asinine amount of money, for an aging soccer player.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

5 years 250 million, i dont think MLS can afford that, that is an asinine amount of money, for an aging soccer player.

To make the USA a player on the international soccer scene? Might be a bargain.

Imagine if Michael Jordan, at the age of 32, had gone to Europe to play basketball.

Tell me that doesn't do something for basketball in Europe. And tell me we don't start following it a little bit in the USA.

[jay santos]

Seems like an absurd amount of money. More than twice what ARod gets for the highest revenue producing team in the world. And look how ARod gets crucified for it.

Why did they have to pay Beckham three times his market value to get him to come to USA?

[BigFatMeanie]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

5 years 250 million, i dont think MLS can afford that, that is an asinine amount of money, for an aging soccer player.

$250M in salary and commercial endorsements. We don't know how much is salary and how much is going to come from commercial endorsements. If you break that out to $50M a year it would put him at number two behind Tiger Woods ($97M) on the list of highest earning U.S. athletes. Next closest behind him would be Phil Mickelson at $46M.

Of course, the golfers earned the vast bulk of their money through endorsements. Carson Palmer had the highest salary/winnings ($30M) of any U.S. athlete because of upfront contract money.

If you look at foreign athletes, Michael Schumacher would still dwarf him at $80M but Becks would be number 2 on that list. According to that list, Becks earned $23M last year so $50M a year average is a pretty big jump.

I like how they refer to him as an "aging soccer star" at age 31. Dang, that makes me feel old.

[SteelBlue]

I think this could be huge for MLS. It puts them in the entertainment headlines constantly. I agree with Waters, I can't imagine that he doesn't bring a ton of curious viewers.

[RockyBalboa]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

5 years 250 million, i dont think MLS can afford that, that is an asinine amount of money, for an aging soccer player.

They can't afford it. A huge portion of the money and sponsorships is being paid for by a club in England.

[cougjunkie]

Just found out two things: Adidas will pick up close to 120 million of the deal, and MLS will chip in as well so that Becks does some commercials for them.

[il Padrino Ute]

I happened to hear Dave Checketts, the Real Salt Lake owner a bit ago while driving home. It was an accident really, as I try not to listen to too much local sports radio, but I digress...

Anyway, he said that the MLS has a little known thing going on that each franchise can save a spot on their roster (kind of a hidden slot, if you will) for a big name international soccer player. Each team has only one of these slots and only one so one franchise can't load their roster with the best players in the world.

LA went first - at least I think they're the first - and went after Beckham.

Beckham is a huge name and a big get for LA, but like so many others, Checketts believes he's probably past his prime to really help the Galaxy. Checketts then said that he's holding out a bit before he makes a move after one of the big name overseas players because he wants someone that is in their prime and can make a bigger impact.