On July 21, 2007 a phenomenal event will occur that will forever change the way Soccer is viewed in America (or so fans hope); David Beckham will make his American debut.
Earlier this year, Major League Soccer announced that the world famous soccer player would be coming to America to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Beckhamâs contract will last five years and is estimated worth a total of $250 million and ESPN is going so far as to have a âBeck-Camâ? placed on squarely on him during the Galaxyâs games. Now for the big question, is he worth it? MLS thinks so.
Beckhamâs wife is Spice Girl Victoria Beckham; whose skin-tight dresses gave us all funny feelings inside at one point or another during our adolescence. In Europe the couple is treated like royalty. MLS hopes that this popularity will follow them to America and will translate into ticket sales and ratings.
Personally, I give the whole âDavid Beckham in Americaâ? thing three years tops. The first year will be huge, games will be sold out and ratings will be through the roof. Mainstream America is curious about this soccer player that married âPosh Spiceâ and wants to see what heâs all about. MLS is therefore going to focus on Beckham as their star. The second year will be steady but ticket sales will start to slump along with ratings. The third year will see a significant drop in attendance and ratings because people will get tired of that British soccer player and his wife that was in that annoying girl band from the late nineties.
The reason I believe this is simple; one player does not make a sport, ask Pele when they tried a similar campaign with him in the seventies. Secondly no matter how hard people try, in America, Soccer will always be second fiddle to Baseball, Basketball, and Football. Donât ask me why thatâs just the way itâs always been and I donât think that David Beckham, no matter how big he is around the world, is going to change that opinion.
No matter what happens though, we here at Coed wish to extend to âPoshâ and âBecksâ a hearty welcome to America and wish them and Major League Soccer the best of luck in this new endeavor.
