Becks’ Biggest Challenge—Making Soccer Cool
International superstar David Beckham is coming to the U.S. to play for the L.A. Galaxy. A move for Beckham shouldn’t be a giant shock as his tenure at Real Madrid was winding down, and his days of international competition with England appear to be over.
Beckham will become the biggest star to play soccer in the United States since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s.
But will anyone care? Salary caps were lifted for the MLS to pull in these kinds of blockbuster names but the league is still far from mainstream. The deal is reportedly worth $250 million, which goes a long way toward explaining why Beckham would come stateside (that and still be in a major media market, L.A.), but what’s the larger story?
‘I don’t think it’s just about glitz,’ U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. ‘He wants to play on a winning team and be part of a winning organization and help build the game in the United States.’
Admirable, but getting the U.S. to care about soccer might be too big of a task for even the world’s most recognizable player. If the MLS truly wants to become a world-renowned sporting institution, they should start by naming their sport correctly.
Call it Football
It’s “football,” not “soccer.” Soccer is just unfortunate slang that will forever relegate the game to 2nd tier status in the United States. For the beautiful game to ever stand as an equal to the major sports of the U.S., it has to be football to which we also have American Football.
I’m liking the increased posting effort Wish; the Beckham move is certainly the most interesting sports story of the year (thus far).
However, if you want to read some entertaining writing, you have to read the British tabloids (www.thesun.co.uk). They try to write the MLS off as an “Elephant graveyard” and Beckham as a non-retired retired player (kept on the team by fanboy Erickson); but on the message boards you can get a feel of the true sadness many, if not most, of these hooligans have for the move. I think they’re going to miss having “Posh and Becks”, not necessarily David Beckham, the ex-skipper. Take a read if you get the chance, these guys’ analysis of the game will destroy that of any superfan on ESPN.com. Otherwise, reviews like this:
“David Beckham earned most of his fame due to his physical appearance rather than his on-pitch performance. His haircuts received more attention than his scoring record.”
seem to be the norm in the British press.
But the real impact of this move may have yet to be discussed (state-side). Beckham has been giving a few interviews today in the British press mentioning how he will try to ressurect the careers of Zidane (see “you got Zidanned bitch!”), Figo and Renaldo, and bring them stateside as well.
The Elephants Graveyard (MLS, if you will) may be on the up-and-up. Let’s pray.
“Elephant graveyard” might not be nice, but it is apt.
Valderrama comes to mind.
“David Beckham earned most of his fame due to his physical appearance rather than his on-pitch performance…”
Perhaps, but I liken the Beckham effect to having T.O. on the field in the NFL. He might drop passes, he might get more attention than he’s worth, but there’s no doubt he occupies the minds of the opposition defense, and that’s a good thing for his team.
It’ll be interesting to see how it all shakes out, but again, I think “soccer” has such a long way to go in the U.S. it will take all the dinosaurs Bechkam can round up.