Becks to America

I realised the nite before what to expect:
Front page headlines in the New York Times touting American soccers latest saviour: David Beckham. It was rumoured that Becks would make the transatlantic leap from one of the centers of the soccer world to the soccers great unwashed, America.

It makes sense for both American soccer and Beckham. For America's soccer league, Major League Soccer, it brings soccers main star to its league. There are better players. There are more spectacular players. But none are more (or even close) of a draw than Beckham. He is one of the few sports players in the world who makes the papers regardless of whether he is playing his sport or not. He is even a regul;ar in the American papers, fron and back. His fame puts Michael Jordan's on the joke level. His tour of America with his then team Real Madrid drew NFL/World Cup type crowds to the cities he played in. The MLS games to come will have larger crowds, larger tv ratings, and a buzz that will be felt world wide. L.A. Galaxy jersey sales will now be seen from Iraq to South Africa to England. And a look @ Becks contract shows that he is owed 'only' $10 million/year in salary from his new team, the L.A. Galaxy : the rest of the $40 m a year comes from jersey sales, sponsorship deals, and profit sharing. for the league, his addition is fantastic.

Becks has played @ the highest level for many years. He has won Bulls/Yankees/Celtics/Canadiens numbers of championships in his tenures @ two of soccers great teams, Manchester United and Real Madrid. He has scored in the last three World Cups, being England captain in the last two. Although some have said that he is a player in decline, his 31 years fall in the middle of the commonly accepted 28-32 range of an athlete @ his best. Beckham running with the ball on the flank will cause all in the know to stop to watch where he places his crosses. Soccer is not a game like baseball that glorifies its statistics, so there is no reason for him to stick around in Europe to pad his stats.He's done everything he could there. This is, in every sense, a way to further his name and fame.

Becks belongs in Hollywood. His wife, Posh Spice, was reportedly less than happy to live in less than cosmopolitin Manchester and Madrid. The move will put her amongst the openings, red carpets, and celebrity sightings that she belongs. They instantly become one of the biggest celebrity couples in L.A. get ready for endless National Enquirer, Star, and People cover stories of these two.

Soccer itself is in the best shape its ever been in America. For awile its been the biggest youth sport. But it is now showing itself to the rest of America and indeed the whole world. MLS has produced many players who start or have started in Europe, including giants like Manchester United. The success of the national teams, both mens and womens, have put soccer on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the talk of newscasts come tournament time( Think Zidane and Brandy Chaistain and, well, David Beckham).

Although MLS is a league that is generally under the American sports radar, it is suprisingly solid for a soccer league (or even a sports league) in America. They have owners that have giant pockets which the other leagues in America (exception : NFL, which seems to be above the rickedyness that inflicts the other three sports ownership groups) would love to have. The Fire and Galaxy are both owner by phil Aunshultz, a billionaire. It is in good financial shape. Five of the teams have their own purpose built soccer stadums, including our own Chicago Fire, and others have stadiums in various planning stages. MLS, despite tepid ratings, have been on ABC and the ESPN's for its entire existence. Overall, the league has shown steady growth in its 11 years.

Beckham brings attention and excitement for soccer to those outside the soccer community. Beckham will not 'make' the league or soccer itself in the States : based on where it was in 1977 -v- 2007, soccer was well on its way to that goal Becks or not. But Beckham will play an important role in the next 5-10 years on growing soccer here. He does bring real excitement. And we'll see Becks @ the Fire stadium sometime this summer. If the game is not sold out yet.