The (rumoured so long we never thought it was really gonna happen) move of Becks from Real Madrid to MLS will take lace after Real's season ends. Beckham should suit it up come August. The deal is a reported $250 million over five years, so Dave and Vicky will find something to do during all his down time. Well, when it comes to sheer money MLS is no longer a minor league, particularly when you compare this deal to A-Rod's ($225 million over 10 years). Mark Mulder may have gotten his $13 million over two years, but Beckham will make $100 million during the same period. Good Lord.
From ESPN:
Former England captain David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and sign a five-year deal for MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy, he told Reuters on Thursday.
"This week Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract for a further two seasons," Beckham said. "After discussing several options with my family and my advisers to either stay here in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join L.A. Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year."
Beckham, 31, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in June 2003, is the most famous player to sign up for Major League Soccer since it began in 1996.
He is also the biggest name player to move to club soccer in the United States since the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s and early '80s.
Beckham's deal is reported to be one of the biggest in global sport, worth more than $250 million over an undisclosed amount of time.
Beckham has soccer academies in London and Los Angeles. His wife Victoria, a former Spice Girl, was recently photographed househunting in Los Angeles.
"David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally," said Timothy Leiweke, president & CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy. "David is truly the only individual that can build the bridge between soccer in America and the rest of the world."
Now, I'm sure you are going to hear all the negative folks come out of the woodwork on this one. It will certainly piss off the more xenophobic soccer haters out there who will hate white boy Becks because he is still a "fur-a-ner." In reality you will get complaints from soccer people as well. "It a publicity stunt...he's too slow....he only did it because Victoria wants a Hollywood lifestyle...etc etc"
All of that is pure bullshit. This is only good for MLS and soccer in general in these here United States of America. And it will be good for anyone who wanted the level of play to increase in the top American league. This raises the bar really high on all the other clubs. Clubs like my beloved DC United will suddenly have a spotlight put upon their personnel moves like never before. Can they bring in a difference maker? Can they bring in someone that could create a rivalry with the likes of Beckham? (BTW I doubt if DC will. They seem intent on bringing in South American players no one has ever heard of. Ah well...)
Cross posted at (Get) A Sporting Life.
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