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David Beckham will join the MLS? Looks like PGA will have one less competitor

Thursday January 11, 2007 | 09:36:16 am 287 words, 3896 views  

In a rumor that is sweeping the globe while just inching across the U.S., soccer star David Beckham will sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer tomorrow, making him by far the highest profile soccer player to play in the States since Pelé and the New York Cosmos days.

“I’ve played now for two of the biggest clubs in the world. I’ve played at the highest level for 15 years, and now I think I need another challenge,” Beckham reportedly told Good Morning America.

It’s likely the average American doesn’t see the significance of this move, which is why it will ultimately fail. Having been employed in Spain the past few years at Real Madrid, Beckham’s star off the pitch hasn’t stopped shining, but he has certainly seemed a step slow on the field.

But for Beckham, the greatest soccer-playing metrosexual in history, to come to the U.S. is a huge deal, that if played well, could lead Major League Soccer to untold popularity and riches. For Beckham and wife Victoria, it will mean added popularity in the U.S., and extra opportunity in Hollywood (though if you’ve heard Beckham speak, a film career seems hard to fathom).

Sadly, Beckham’s signing is much more likely to be the death-knell of the niche league than it’s rebirth. Soccer is not going to become wildly popular in the U.S. Ever. David Beckham, Posh Spice or Ronaldo won’t change that.

In the end, it’s an interesting move, but if the MLS is planning on putting its hopes and dreams on aging players, they will be sorely disappointed and will put the league’s very existence at risk. And the PGA will have one less competitor.

–WKW

Permalink 22 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: patricia [Visitor] · http://www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com
The biggest winner in this is definitely Vic. The aspiring celebutwat has has had major Hollywood Lust forever. She'll be in the clubs with Britney and Paris in no time... and we can start trolling the internet for a Posh vagflash. Yay.

You're right though it's not gonna make soccer wildly poplar in the US.
PermalinkPermalink 01/11/07 @ 11:53
Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
I thought that with all of the immigrants coming to our shores that soccer would be very popular. Overseas, soccer is so wildly hot that much of Europe closes shop during the World Cup.

Perhaps if Americans had a team we could root for, the sport would take off. And with uber-spice girl Victoria by Beckham's side, the two should eventually be able to nab top Hollywood honors from Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
PermalinkPermalink 01/11/07 @ 14:24
Comment from: Trevor Stevens [Visitor]
No chance for Beckham and Victoria to get front page coverage. They are both past their prime.

Because of the lack of time out and interruption, soccer will never be popular in the US.

PermalinkPermalink 01/11/07 @ 16:57
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
Trevor is correct.....oh, and up your's, Trevor!
PermalinkPermalink 01/11/07 @ 17:39
Comment from: tommy [Visitor]
why did abe mariano have to ruin my day?
PermalinkPermalink 01/11/07 @ 21:21
Comment from: Trevor Stevens [Visitor]
Booger,

Top of the morning to you too...Or perhaps bottom of the morning instead given your breeding habits...

Have a good one....Mate.
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 07:52
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
People watch soccer because they enjoy it, not because they have a lack of options.

If soccer fails in the US, it probably won't be due the addition of David Beckham.

And if soccer fails, I doubt those fans will start watching golf. It's simply a matter of what they ejoy watching. If they enjoyed golf, they'd watch it.
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 09:12
Comment from: bob [Visitor] · http://boblook.com
wut does this have to do with the pga?
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 09:40
Comment from: Chad [Visitor]
This is amazing. The author of this article has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. MLS has survived for 11 years, through careful and well thought out planning, without David Beckham. And now that they pull off a major deal like this the league will suddenly start to die?

This isn't the NASL that you're talking about. That was a league that bit off more than it could chew and died as a result. This is not the case with MLS. I suggest you do a little more research and a little less wishful thinking Mr. Wolfrum.
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 09:50
Comment from: William K. Wolfrum [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/william.wolfrum
Chad,

I normally don't make too many replies to my own blogs, because I already gave the original comment ;)

However, with the Beckham signing, this has been in my head quite a bit. First of all, if I didn't get it through, I think this is a fascinating move.

And I don't believe per se, that Beckham's signing will kill the league, but I do believe that if this becomes a "Every team needs an expensive old dude" situation, it could spell doom.

For MLS, the much bigger news is Clint Dempsey going to Fulham. That's what the MLS needs, to work more of its players to Europe. Thus far, things have been working well. Maybe some day Donovan will grow a sac and go back there.

But soccer is a niche sport in the U.S., and the presence of one star in a game won't change that over time. Especially older ones, who get more injuries and miss more games. People just aren't going to continually go to games to see Beckham attempt a few free kicks.

As a player, I always liked Beckham and felt he got a bum rap and had bizarre expectations. He adds something to a team. But a lot of what he offered had to do with speed and hustle, and he has definitely lost a step.

Nonetheless, you know what, I applaud the move. What the hell, they pulled off a Massive deal. Beckham immediately becomes the second-biggest sports star in the U.S. after Tiger. He is a big, big star.

MLS just needs to show discipline for this all to work, and keep expectations from getting too terribly high. Honestly, I hope it works great for U.S. Soccer. I'm just very skeptical.

--WKW


PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 10:33
Comment from: patricia [Visitor] · http://www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com
It's true that most Americans don't have any idea what a huge star Becks is in the rest of the world.
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 12:24
Comment from: Trevor Stevens [Visitor]
Patricia,

Beckham was somebody 5 years ago. He might still be a star in some ex-colonial countries in Asia and Afirca. However, he is now yesterday's news in continental Europe.

For the US to pay him 50M per annum is grossly overpaying; it is almost crime against humanity.

Then again, the Germans love Hasselhof and the French loves Jerry Lee Lweis even after they faded in the US.

notes to Booger: pull your pecker out of your arse...
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 13:50
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
Must crush homoerotic fantasizing in the form of Trevor Stevens.
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 14:05
Comment from: Mr. Wonderful [Visitor]
Can't wait for all those illegals to line up to see him play when he comes to Texas. They can't afford health insurance, car insurance, or food, but bet they will line up by the mile and shell out $100+ a ticket to watch the white boy...
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 18:12
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
Yes they will, but they'll only be there to watch a brown mestizo risk a red
card hacking away at that very same white boy.
PermalinkPermalink 01/12/07 @ 18:24
Comment from: Casual Observer [Visitor]
Without these illegals working in the hotel and produce industries, we won't be paying the cheap rate when we travel, and we won't be paying the rate we pay for our fruits and vegetables.
PermalinkPermalink 01/15/07 @ 09:10
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
Yes, and for cheap travel and cheap produce we should throw civilization out
of the window....now that's a plan!
PermalinkPermalink 01/15/07 @ 10:35
Comment from: Casual Observer [Visitor]
Booger,

That decision is made by the decision makers...a lot of them are elected by the people. And they are your fellow country men and women.

Additionally, for cheap goods, the country is kow-towing to the Chinese commie establishment.
PermalinkPermalink 01/15/07 @ 13:06
Comment from: Sundin [Visitor]
WKW,

Your blog was referenced in the largest daily newspaper in Canada last week.

http://www.thestar.com/article/170428

Title: Fans ridicule `mangy mutt' - Move to L.A. by former England captain draws derisive outcry.

The excerpt is as follow:

Over at worldgolf.com, blogger William K. Wolfrum damned Beckham with the faint praise of being "the greatest soccer-playing metrosexual in history."

You have indeed elevate yourself above others here...Congratulations...
PermalinkPermalink 01/15/07 @ 13:15
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
"That decision is made by the decision makers...a lot of them are elected by the people. And they are your fellow country men and women."

So......you do stand-up comedy for a living?
PermalinkPermalink 01/15/07 @ 13:55
Comment from: Trevor Stevens [Visitor]
Booger,

Are you going around harassing people?

Did you check with your parole officer before they let you out?
PermalinkPermalink 01/15/07 @ 16:55
Comment from: lil tricky [Visitor]
i believe beckham coming to the U.S is great.
and he's opening the door to other players and the MLS.
PermalinkPermalink 01/18/07 @ 13:46

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William K. Wolfrum William K. Wolfrum

a WorldGolf.com Blog

WorldGolf.com's William K. Wolfrum blogs about everything in the world of golf and travel, including Michelle Wie, Lorena Ochoa, Tiger Woods and other PGA and LPGA headlines. Plus, he offers the humorous and obscure in news, politics and pop culture.