Beckham to MLS now OFFICIAL (Updated)

Major League Soccer just put out a release announcing that David Beckham has officially signed a contract to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He will join the Galaxy in the summer, after he plays out his contract with Real Madrid. There has been nothing official about how much he's costing but the rumored 5-year, $250 million figure is ridiculous.

As it turns out, the $250 million figure is what MLS is throwing around by combining his salary (as yet undisclosed) and his "commercial opportunities". What is the point exactly of throwing out such an absurd number when it isn't even a hard figure, but rather some calculated estimation of what Beckham MIGHT make during his five years in MLS if happens to do a ton of endorsements? Whoever came up with the idea of floating that number is an idiot.

A few points to go over. Some people are wondering what this means for Landon Donovan, who is the highest paid American in MLS. No, Donovan isn't necessarily going to leave the Galaxy in 2008. All LA has to do to keep him is deal for someone's designated player slot. The Red Bulls have set the price for a DP slot after trading Amado Guevara to get Chivas USA's.

How will Beckham do in MLS? I've said it before and I'll say it again. The guy still has more than enough skill to be a dominant player in MLS. In case you hadn't noticed, left back is arguably the weakest defensive position in MLS and even left wing wouldn't be considered super strong, which means Beckham will be going up against players he can dominate with his skill and speed. The notion that he's washed up and won't be an impact player is crazy. His free kicks, corner kicks and crosses alone can help him wind up as one of the league's scoring leaders (if he were playing a full season, which he isn't in 2007).

Comments

[wisconsindan]

"Retirement league," ouch! Though I'm not a fan of the flashed-cash involved (a good $40 million per season more than Dempsey), I do think Beckham has some good years left in him. Remember Becks is only 31.

[sidenetting]

The $ is Phil's. Now it's Beckham's. No worries for me and the league's profile increases tremendously. They just have to be upset that Bonds' greenies are stealing headlines.

If anyone else asks for that $, they won't get it. No one. Even if their name begins with an R. It's called the Beckham rule for a reason. I just can't wait for his first visit to K.C.'s park district field.

[Napoleon]

so..........what other oldy is coming to the States next?

Ronaldo?
Scholes?
Cantona?
Giggs?
Figo? nope, went to Saudia Arabia
Zidane?
Djourkeoff? whoops already was and retired
Dalglish? I bet he would out perform, even at his age, most MLS'ers
Sherringham & Shearer?
Fowler?

(being sarcastic with most of the above)

Honestly, why is it that the MLS is only concentrating on bringing in the faded or past stars? Why wouldn't they be more aggressive for a likes of Podolski, Kaka, Van persie, Fabregas, Messi, Walcott, Ribery.....do any YOUNG up and coming superstars interest the MLS ...????

[anon]

Here's the question I have...if that money amount is correct, surely the team has purchased the image rights for Beckham as well. I don't know much about image rights arrangements, but does that basically mean that corporations would be paying the club for the right to use his image because the club 'owns' them?

[Napoleon]

fiddle245 - lol! spot on...

...its just the MLS has had players like Donadoni, Matthues, Djourkeff...all GREAT players mind you that were way past their prime!

[Paul Lorinczi]

Do you really think players like Podolski would come to MLS? The only way that will happen is when players can make more and have better agreements than Europe. For instance, the sponsorship deal for Beckham is he keeps the money versus sharing with Real Madrid. Patience people, it will take time.

[nathan3e]

Altidore, Wynne, Boswell, Parkhurst, Cooper, Mapp and the rest of the reasonably good to very good young players currently toiling in MLS are likely completely unaware that they are playing in a retirement league. Someone should tell them before they destroy their lives. I am guessing fiddle245 is the proper person to break the news, being ten times smarter than the remainder of us put together.

[Napoleon]

Paul - money talk$...and Podolski would for the right dollar amount....as would most if offered???

[Sidenetting]

The best part about the signing is that we don't have to suffer with LD taking corner kicks and free kicks again.

It is a privilege to read these comments from people who are such close friends with Altidore and Wynne. What else did they tell you when they let you know they realized they were playing in a retirement league?

[Josh]

I have to say that this is a great deal. I just wish more sports oriented stations in the states would pick up on it. I've been waiting for cold pizza or espen to play anything. To the guy asking for younger players...Think about the idea of progression. This league can only do what it has the ability to do. Right now bringing in older stars that still have some ability is where we are at. Why would a player in their prime come here now. We are not a league where you can prove your worth on a national stage. Messi, no matter how much you payed him, wouldnt come to the MLS. We are about 10 years in and I think the progression is great. Give another 10 years and then the league will be at a positive income and attention from older players will help build the league and its younger american players. Only then can we compete with the rest of the world. It WILL happen. There is too much money and too much marketability for the US not to become a premier league. Time has to play into it.

[Jeff]

Notice there are no quotes from Landon. He's going to be a nobody compared to Beckham. Ives; do a story on that dynamic, I'm sure it will make for good reading.

[Josh]

Now for the other comments that I missed. How is this a retirement league. 90 percent of the players are young and american. Why is it a bad thing to have older players to mentor under. Europe is a better ship right now. That is why they are trying to leave. All great leagues have older players. Is the premier league a retirement league for having its older players?

[nathan3e]

It is disappointing that so many of you are disagreeing with fiddle instead of bowing down in the face of his superior intellect. Clearly, many older MLS players have told him that they are not here to mentor; they are here merely to retire. They probably told him that they refuse to even speak to the younger players, as they are too busy retiring. Personally, I am glad that someone finally let me know that MLS is all about the cushy retirement gig, in spite of Paco Palencia insisting that it is anything but a retirement league.

[Napoleon]

I have argued that the MLS should be more aggressive with dollar$ offered to the younger overseas players since its inception in 1995/96.

That said, Beckham is a valuable commodity, no question, but hows about the MLS pair that signing with a Robinho? Rumors persist that the Brazilian striker has also fallen out with Capello....why not target him???

[Napoleon]

...and while I am at it, why not target some players whom might not have homes anylonger in the English prem? Certainly a Jerzy Dudek would be a quality GK for the Metrobulls, and he is on the brink of leaving Liverpool.

[James in L.A.]

Just as an FYI to the "chicken little" a.k.a "fiddle" - D.C. United will be signing a brazilian player (Ruy) from a well known top flight club in Brazil - and he isn't an old man! Neither is Facundo Erpen or Matius Donnet. Just because the few foreign players that come to MLS are aging, doesn't mean the entire league is. As said before, most of the league consists of younger players trying to make a name for themselves. The Beckham move will help push things along. This is a fledgling league and it will take some time, but I still believe in the not so distant future, we will rival leagues such as the French and Dutch leagues. Will you please try to come up with something of substance to say. At least support your slander with some facts.

[Nic]

I think James in L.A. has the correct perspective. MLS is in a process of development that requires more support from "fans" of soccer who support European teams as if they actually were born in Madrid, Manchester, or Milan, as well as an infusion of interest from people who haven't traditionally paid that much attention to soccer. While I don't pretend to know the perspectives of eurocentric "fans" such as fiddle, soccer in America undoubtedly requires our support if it is to grow. If we don't support players like Dempsey by providing avenues of development (MLS is the most important of these), we'll recede back to the 80s.

[nathan3e]

Come on people, admit defeat and give it up for the mighty fiddle. We foolish MLS fanboys obviously live on a planet where droves means “a large number” and people can spell amateur. Whereas the mighty fiddle occupies a planet where he has seen the “Brazilian guy” play many times and where droves means “very few”. As usual, fiddle is right; it is all about Europe. Just ask Hejduk about the glory days at FC St. Gallen and watch him get teary with nostalgia.

[Area Code 212]

HUGE DAY FOR SOCCER IN THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MLS will never be the same!

Welcome Becks! Now, go get us all the media coverage possible :)

[Wamiq]

Napoleon: No $ amount is worth losing a spot on your national team while you're still in your prime. No coach of a good European or South American team will select a player who spends his seasons toying with MLS competition. That's why stars in their primes are not considering coming to MLS. Becks is here largely because he's lost his national team spot.

[Tony]

Becks will attract so much attention to the games the same way Pele did. People are going to want to see what the 250 million dollar man. More attendance = more money for clubs = more funding to develop young players = better crop for US soccer.

Whats not to like here?!

[Area Code 212]

LOL, we thought A-rod is overpaid :)

[Bill]

"... Beckham will be going up against players he can dominate with his skill and **speed**?"

Uh, Ives? You writing with your head in the oven or sumtin'? :)

[Tom]

"Whoever came up with the idea of floating that number (250 Mil) is an idiot."

Why? what sounds more major league, Beckham coming for 10 mil a year or for A-Rod money (and may he Mama Cass just as badly on the field). It helps perception (wow, these guys can toss around 250 mil, MLS must be doing pretty well).