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"Becks" May Work Here in the States

By johnnyrico, Section Other Sports
Posted on Sat Jan 13 2007 at 5:57 PM EST
More on: (all tags)

David Beckham, international super-celebrity and washed up soccer player, has made his way onto the coast of the United States---the "West" coast, that is.  Beckham signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy for an astronomical $250 million dollars Thursday, making him the highest paid athlete in the history of, well, the galaxy. The MLS, who has struggled to gain respectability in its first ten years of existence, is banking on "Becks" to increase interest in the sport of soccer among a nation dominated by (American) football fanatics. This is a tall task for anyone, let alone a 31 year old has-been from a different continent.  There is a chance, however, that the former Premiere League superstar could do just that.  

Location
Los Angeles is the largest market in the country without an NFL franchise.  Granted, USC is basically a "mini" pro team, but the fact is the Trojans still fall into the category of "college athletics." Beckham is an international phenomenon, and if L.A. respects anything, its celebrity.  He's bigger than any actor, actress, producer, or director in Hollywood, and that brings both interest and credibility immediately to the Galaxy in the city of angels.

Don't forget, as well, that L.A. is a very diverse city with many different ethnicities.  The Latino-American population is teeming with rabid soccer fanatics, all of which are undoubtedly very aware of Mr. Beckham's reputation and achievements.  Imagine their excitement when they realize that they can drive 15 minutes or less to see the world' most famous soccer player who had previously been half-a-world away.

Posh
Yes, we cannot forget about the black-haired, black-dressed, stilleto sporting Posh Spice, Beckham's wife.  The two will fit into the club scene in L.A. like a martini glass fits into Paris Hilton's dashboard-cupholder.  The couple is sure to make the same splash as the major Hollywood power couples, only without the tabloid break-up. Paparrazzi and talk shows rejoice.  

Also, the soccer star's wife may even resucitate her singing career here in the states. Can you envision Posh on the sidelines, black fur coat and knee high boots, plugging her new album while chatting with Jack Arute?

"Becks" on the Road
Remember when Michael Jordan would come to your crappy city to play against your crappy team?  Ticket sales spiked.  Everyone wanted to see the legend play.  Soon, little kids in Idaho were shooting turn-around-jumpers with their tounges out.  This is the sensation that Beckham will bring to every MLS city.  Fans will line up to see the old, slow shell of a once great player, and every kid who otherwise wouldn't have ever seen a pro soccer game may possibly be seduced by the "Sport of Kings."  How many broken windows will be damaged during children's indoor soccer games due to Beckhams presence in Major League Soccer?

There is no guarantee that MLS's gamble will pay off.  But if, after ten years of little progress, Beckham does save soccer in America, you can expect other soccer superstars to hit the states, chasing that $250 million dollar American dream.