Soccer is viewed as the bastard son of sports in the USA. Despite being the biggest participant sport Stateside, the NASCAR lovin’ rednecks think of it with as much respect as they would if The Village People made a surprise appearance in one of their bars, and the football lovin’ wideboys can’t understand how or why a bunch of people kicking a ball possibly be called ‘football’. In other words, David Beckham’s arrival will be a Godsend for lovers of big, round, white balls. Here’s why…He’s got a rags to riches story….and won it all.
When he was young, David Beckham’s family wasn’t exactly what we in the UK call ‘rolling in it’. He practised his ass off, played for a schoolboy team before being signed up to one of the greatest sports teams that world has ever seen, Manchester United. He helped United win their first Champions League title since the late 60s, and win other domestic honours countless times. He’s also captained England, where he’s helped them become a perennial world force (although unfortunately never lifting the World Cup itself). And a rags to riches story certainly helps with a Spice Girl at your side.
If there’s anything the American people seems to like, it’s a tear-jerker. And Beckham’s story is just that. By the way, my number’s 514-643-JOKE if you want me to star. We speak with the same accent, by the way.
He’s a living, breathing icon
I know- you Americans would rather talk about the Tigers, the Mannings and the Earnhardts of this world but Beckham is arguably bigger (although probably not richer) than them all. I’d put him on the same level as Pele in soccer fame. He’s been the face of two of soccer’s biggest franchises, been exceptionally succesful with both teams and scored goals you could only dream of (see YouTube for details). People won’t only be flocking to come to LA to watch this man. Tickets are going to go for $500 a piece to see the man play.
And then the “what if” factor….
What if Beckham might persuade his iconic, out-of-contract friends to come play Stateside soccer? Or could Beckham-mania encourage more players in their 20s to come from some of the world’s best leagues to choose MLS as their career destiny?
Hey, win or lose, he’ll be great on TV
Whatever happens, MLS will be able to sell TV rights for ten times the amount they would have pre-Beckham. But now that world scrutiny will be on #23 (yeah- he plays with that number, too), the TV and advertising money’s going to come flooding in. “We might be able to get it on ESPN rather than just ESPN 2”, a NAIA soccer player told me in a phone conversation. “It might make us relevant again.” In our opinion, Beckham should be worth seeing on TV for the first 90 mins of his career at the Galaxy — if only to see if Tom Cruise and/or Katie Holmes will make an appearance. And if he scores, will Tom jump up and down on his own seat like a fool?? Only time will tell.
So….
We over in the UK would encourage you to welcome Mr Beckham with open arms. Not only will you see him on Pepsi ads, but you’ll also see him at Disneyland and on ESPN an awful lot. Tourists might want to come across the pond just to watch a game that they can actually understand (btw, they don’t respect baseball- they call it ’rounders’), and spend thousands while they are there. Oh, and he’s a darned good soccer player, too.