Spend it like Beckham

[Onkel Neal]

Did I hear Beckham is going to play in the US for $250 Million?

[fredbass]

I just heard that on the radio this morning.

Would somebody explain to me in simple terms how 250m is a worthy investment, because I just don't see it.

Is he worth $250 million? At least one analyst doesn't think so. The fact is that in this country (US) football (soccer as we call it) isn't seen as having enough testosterone to ever recieve the attention it does in other nations.

There is some cause for doubt given Beckham's recent performance on the field. He made little mark on this summer's World Cup, then lost his captaincy of the English squad and eventually his starting position at Real Madrid. Yet while Beckham is aging — he is 31 — he is not over the hill, and arguably needs the lift that a solid stint in what is a growing league could give him. A show of good form on the field might get him back into the England squad in time for Euro 2008. He was reportedly bitterly disappointed to lose not only his captain's armband, but also his place in the revamped post-Germany squad.

[Konovalov]

Becks earns GBP £70,000 per day!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...543676,00.html

For that amount of money I would expect him to find a cure for cancer and aids, end world hunger, bring world peace and end wars, solve our energy and enviromental woes, and so on.

And the guy is earning this playing for a crap club in the US because he is not good enough any more to play at the top level and will never ever play for his country again. This is the sporting golden handshake if I have ever seen one.

[bradclark1]

From what I understand they are trying to use him as a billboard for American soccer. To get more peoples attention.
My guesstimation is with this makeing such huge news over here people are going to see if he is worth the bucks, hence a bigger audience and maybe interest will stick and bring more national interest to the game.
So it's kind of a large gamble for them.

Originally Posted by bradclark1

From what I understand they are trying to use him as a billboard for American soccer. To get more peoples attention.
My guesstimation is with this makeing such huge news over here people are going to see if he is worth the bucks, hence a bigger audience and maybe interest will stick and bring more national interest to the game.
So it's kind of a large gamble for them.

He'll have celebrity the likes of Paris Hilton. Grab a lot of attention and do nothing.

[danlisa]

What is being 'indirectly' paid for is the Beckham's image. Not only David but Posh aswell. As I understand that they are very popular across the pond.

You're right to say he's over the hill for the UK Prem but I think he's more than adequate for the US as Football (Soccer) is still in it's infancy there.

As for being a gamble, your right. However, I think it's a good one as he is an international name/face/star etc. and as a package together they are probably one of the most branded/labelled/photographed couples in the world.

It's still a lot of money - £43 per min.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by bradclark1

From what I understand they are trying to use him as a billboard for American soccer. To get more peoples attention.
My guesstimation is with this makeing such huge news over here people are going to see if he is worth the bucks, hence a bigger audience and maybe interest will stick and bring more national interest to the game.
So it's kind of a large gamble for them.

Probably not. American sports market is tight, different leagues have nicely arranged their season time tables with each other so that almost all year is covered, there is no room for another major sports league. It is not the first time US football tries to raise it's profile by inviting celebs to it'S stadiums, think of Pele or Beckenbauer. It did not pay off back then, it will not pay off this time. and yes, the fees these athlete entertainers today get payed are beyond all reason and beyond all good and evil. Ridiculous. Give them enough to live from it, and secure (on a modest and reasonable level) the future of their family after their active career, that would be fair. Plus a bonus for winning major events and tournamemnts. Problem is today all and everything is not tuned for serving it's purpose, but to create profits for business men that oftehn have nothing substantially to do with the issue, sports in this case. When Germany became world champion the first time in Bern, players were payed I think 50 or 100 bucks, and the pride and honour of having been called into the national team. After they won the title I think they got a car, or a refrigerator. Of that scale it was, and that was all.

[Camaero]

Seems like a waste of money. American's don't care about soccer. (At least not anywhere near to the extent of the rest of yas.)

[Fish]

Originally Posted by bradclark1

From what I understand they are trying to use him as a billboard for American soccer. To get more peoples attention.
My guesstimation is with this makeing such huge news over here people are going to see if he is worth the bucks, hence a bigger audience and maybe interest will stick and bring more national interest to the game.
So it's kind of a large gamble for them.

So then whe'r even, baseball USA funded mony for a baseball school here in the Netherlands.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by bradclark1

From what I understand they are trying to use him as a billboard for American soccer. To get more peoples attention.
My guesstimation is with this makeing such huge news over here people are going to see if he is worth the bucks, hence a bigger audience and maybe interest will stick and bring more national interest to the game.
So it's kind of a large gamble for them.

pretty amazing stuff

[mr chris]

Neal if you think that was great stuff watch this guy in action.
here are a selection of vids of him in action.
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...&search=Search
He plays for barcalona is is reguarded as the best player in the world what he can do with a ball is just out of this world

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by bradclark1

From what I understand they are trying to use him as a billboard for American soccer. To get more peoples attention.
My guesstimation is with this makeing such huge news over here people are going to see if he is worth the bucks, hence a bigger audience and maybe interest will stick and bring more national interest to the game.
So it's kind of a large gamble for them.

Didn't they try and use Pele to do the same thing?? Lokk how successful that was!

[STEED]

Originally Posted by Konovalov

Becks earns GBP £70,000 per day!

For that amount of money I would expect him to find a cure for cancer and aids, end world hunger, bring world peace and end wars, solve our energy and enviromental woes, and so on.

Most rich people don't give a hoot and that's one of the reasons why this planet is a mess. As for the Becks they can (censored by STEED)

[Dan D]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Did I hear Beckham is going to play in the US for $250 Million?

That is amazing news for the MSL, is not it? They sure have money and ambitions.

Originally Posted by fredbass

... how 250m is a worthy investment, because I just don't see it.

Beckham is a pop icon with boy group factor 10 out of 10.
When you have Beckham in your team the merchandising sales begin to explode. Part of the investment is refinanced by that. Legions of young girls want to buy soccer shirts with his name on it, at least in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Let's see what happens in America.
So soon people will be wearing LA Galaxy shirts all across the world, if things go as planned.
For sure more people will go to the stadiums who want to see/meet/touch a pop star in real life.
Even gays who traditionally dislike the soccer scene, which is very macho and homophobic are beginning to talk about soccer since Beckham. Galaxy is from Los Angeles, no?