David Beckham is going to L.A. Galaxy

[Brent Burns]

Just read several sources that David Beckham officially announced that he is going to L.A. Galaxy. For the football/soccer aficionados, what do you think about David's decision to play in the MLS? Is this a wise move?

[FLAK]

he wasnt getting playing time at a top club and probably decided it was time to cash in on his big name in the U.S. before he gained the "has-been" title. Good move from a marketing standpoint...

[Sonny]

Hopefully, this will spark some more interest in the MLS.

[Brent Burns]

Yahoo already has the voting going on with two questions:

Mistake?

Good move?

Gotta tell my son tonight about David Beckham. I will have to check out FC Dallas' schedule to find out when LA Galaxy would be here.

[jessexy]

contract is reportedly worth upwards of $250 million. i think that includes potential commercial $$$ on top of actual contract $$$ for playing. thats a ton of money though and that would be my main reason for coming to play in MLS if i was Beckham.

heard rumors that Posh wanted to get into the Hollywood scene and revive her career. hey, if Paris can be famous for being a slut then Posh can be famous for being Beckham's wife.

[shrekjr]

Waste of money in my opinion. If he is that good, then it isn't fair to other "lesser" teams and/or smaller markets who might have the higher draft picks this year. If he isn't that good and those teams wouldn't want him anyway, then why pay all that money. Either way, I don't like it.

[StrykerFSU]

I hear ya but international soccer has never been about fairness. I may be wrong, and Alaska correct me if I am, but the rich teams always get the best players. Do they even have a draft in the Premiership?

[Brent Burns]

We will always have the rich and the poor with us.

I understand that MLS will have its "Super Draft" tomorrow. Saw that at MLS site.

I have not seen how much L.A. Galaxy would have to pay for the "transfer fee" to Real Madrid, will they? jessexy or anyone care to explain that. Just curious about that.

[jessexy]

Beckham was playing and almost a permanent fixture in the Real madrid lineup until this contract issue came up. Real wanted him to sign for two more years and he hesitated so they took him out of the first team.

England never dropped him. He gave up the captaincy of the team because he isnt going to be a regular player for England anymore in preparations for the 2010 World Cup when he'll be 35 years old. he may still be called up, but wont be automatic or a starter for the next 4 years. the new captain will be there.

This move has nothing to do with the draft picks. In soccer, teams own the players and can "sell" or Transfer" them to other teams. His Real contract was up this summer and they tried to get him to extend it. after his contract is up, he is a free agent (USA terms) to sign anywhere. if he didnt sign, then Real would still own his rights and be subject to a transfer fee. but since he will be out of contract this summer and his contract with MLS and LA Galaxy starts in the summer, he is coming on a free transfer.

the move will bring fans to the stands for the rest of his first season. Beckham is a quality right midfielder, but not one of the best in the world anymore. he is still a top notch free kick specialist and will wow people with a goal or two. but if people come looking for him to dribble thru 8 players and score a magical goal, its not gonna happen. he will bring the nominal fan to the stadium when LA is in town, but his presence probably wont effect Salt Lake v. KC at all.

the $250 million is what surprises me, but after reading the difference is that he will be able to capitalize on his celebrity. Usually, the teams that own the rights get most of the money from appearances but this contract allows Beckham to control all of that. AEG (owners of LA) dont care because they are one of the 2 teams that are making money, which is a league-wide goal.

I'm sorry, more info than you wanted but there it is.

[Brent Burns]

Thanks, jessexy for clearing that up even with a long post. Still clears everything up and makes sense.

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

I must say this is great news. Now we will be graced with her presence in the states.

[KnoxVegas]

As of this August, the national gossip mags will no longer have to foist the Posh and Soccer Spice on the American public as if Americans know who they really are.

Barce! Barce! Barce! DC United Rulez!

[CyLaxKeeper00]

I must say this is great news. Now we will be graced with her presence in the states.

I don't know...she looks a little like an alien.

[Rob Graff]

OR at least the victim of bad cosmetic surgery.

[FLAK]

I hear ya but international soccer has never been about fairness. I may be wrong, and Alaska correct me if I am, but the rich teams always get the best players. Do they even have a draft in the Premiership?

No there's no draft, and yes the richest teams get the best players. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they will win outright ie. Real Madrid with their ridiculous amount of international superstars or "Galaticos". They haven't won a major trophy since they started building the soccer dream team.

European soccer leagues are tremendously different from any sports league in America. They have longer seasons, play in multiple competitions at once, and have a much different system for transferring players. There is no way that MLS could ever match what the EPL or La Liga have in terms of fan base, loyalty, sponsorship, and especially revenue. I have my reservations about what Beckham can do for this league, because when it comes down to it, the MLS is still just a feeder league of American players to the bigger European clubs.