Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gladiator]

I guess you've seen this in the media and I feel I am going to choke with depression to year those numbskulls the LA Galaxy are going to pay this footballing nonenitity, anonymous passenger/bystander/spectator of three world cup tournaments (choose appropriate unflattering description of Becks, sorry I've just never bought into The Cult of Beckham and never, never will) an absolutely obscene amount of money to go out to pasture (hmm, like he has many highlights in his international career to look back on), sell some American hair gell, endorse beer and sell other garbage.

It just goes to show how much American Soccer administrators really understand about soccer. At least in the 1970s they recruited fading technical genius in the forms of Pele, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Best, Worthington, Marsh et al. These were individuals who actually belonged in the chamber of greatness. Pele and Franz were world champions, Cruyff bewitched the world with his skills in the 70s. In comparison Beckham and his glorified two trick pony con man act epitomised the vacuous 90s and is nothing but the High Priest of style over substance, of sizzle over steak. He dissapeared in world cups, never once stepped up to impose himself on games and turn around matches in circumstances that called out for greatness and if the chroniclers of soccer history actually describe the two lame free kicks he dispatched against mediocre opponents in '98 and '06 as noteworthy moments of world cup history then I am going to call the police and have them arrested for fraud.

It sickens me to the bone that this bloody impostor of footballing brilliance is going to receive USD$250,000,000 over five years just because he married posh spice and had slick PR agents. Pass the bucket I am going to vommit violently

[alffy]

First of all, according to Ives Galarcep, one of the better soccer/football writers in the US, Beckham will probably only be paid in the $6-$10 million range, with the rest of that crazy announced sum being 'potential' endorsement deals- which Becks will get, and accept.

Also, I like this deal. Beckham will automaticlly become one of the better players in the league, but he will not stand out dramatically on the pitch (except for those free kicks, and maybe on crosses as well). But, most importantly, he will drive media attention, which he is already doing.

After the announcement, I have been following the news as much as possible here (I have neither cable nor sattelite TV at home, but I have been scanning the cable at work), and Becks is already stirring the pot (both for who he is and what he's being paid). Heck, he even drew a mention on my local news and all the late night talk shows.

The point of this contract was to generate buzz and interest in the 11 year old league. For the money, LA could have brought in a better player, certainly, but they wouldn't have gotten the interest (and potential money that interest may become).

Hopefully, this contract will result in increased attention, increased revenues, and a big upside for the long term for the league. That's what both the league and David Beckham are hoping.

And so am I.

[alffy]

Hmm, my link above seems to be wacky and I can't figure it out, so, here's the entry from Ives blog "Soccer by Ives" for Becks' pay:

The $250 Million figure is NOT Beckham's MLS salary
The biggest uproar I'm hearing regarding the Beckham signing is over the reported five-year, $250 million deal Beckham received. That figure is not a real number.

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 he happens to do a ton of endorsements (which he will)? Whoever came up with the idea of floating that number is an idiot because that bloated figure has diverted attention away from the positive news of his arrival in MLS. It has also made MLS the laughingstock of world soccer. Most importantly, it has left a bad taste in the mouths of a number of MLS players currently in the league who can't fathom how a league could pay a player more per year than it costs to buy an MLS franchise.

I'll say it one more time. $250 million is NOT his salary. I am efforting to find out what the actual salary is. If I had to guess, I would put it in the $6-10 million a year range. Yes, that's still high but at least it's in the ballpark of European star players.

[tiger fancini]

[thepeel]

As opposed to being in Manchester, the intellectual heart of Europe, where Eurotrash don't obsess over their cell phones.

Such a pathetic display of envy.

[tiger fancini]

[Pligganease]

[Gladiator]

Well, I am glad to be corrected and am relieved to hear he will not be receiving financial compensation so grossly disproportionate to his footballing abilities and true place in the world game.

[alffy]

[shifter2009]

I am interest in how long ESPN will give the MLS some highlights on Sportscenter before the realize Americans don't care. Or at least most don't. I'd consider myself a very large American style sports fan, by which I mean I follow all the popular sports in America, some that I don't even like very much. (I am looking at you baseball) Honestly I can say I only knew a few names in the soccer world from all my American sports rag reading, which have been mentioned here already, Beckham, Rooney, ect. Couldn't tell you at all why these guys are great and can't imagine the average or even more hardcore fan getting themselves into Beckham fever for more than a game or two just to see what the fuss is about. Maybe there is more of an underground Soccer loving force in America that hasn't be tapped previously or maybe the immigrate populace will embrace it but I doubt this will effect soccer's status as a non-enity on the pro level in America. I'll buy it when the TV ratings are in.

[stevemcgarrett]

You know, the Brits are always desperate for an international figure to match the fame of the Beatles. Beckham, however, isn't it. No doubt he'll attract attention to soccer in the U.S. and stir the interest of the fashion conscious youth there. But he'll never approach superstar status in the States.

His salary is obscene, but then most superstar athletes make too much money nowdays.

Beckham, at this point in his sporting career, is just another pretty face. He's kinda like his wife's bre-asts: nice to look at from a distance but fake closeup.

I think his wife stands the most to gain. As a second-rate singer, she now has the chance to be a second-rate movie star too. She'll fit right in with the pack of no-talents like Jennifer Lopez already there.

[Bondrock]

Beckham will raise the profile of soccer in America. Much like Gretzky did for the NHL when he joined LA.

Not saying Beckham is as good as Gretzky, but he is a high-profile celebrity player and many Americans love to see a recognizable face.

[alffy]

[stevemcgarrett]

alffy:

Keep eating that peanut butter. Beckham is a has-been footballer. Sorry, but I don't think Beckham compares to the Beatles in stature. Not by a long shot. He is at this stage a media persona, propped up by commercial interests.

I almost got a tear in my eye at your poignant depiction of the Iraqi boy wearing his jersey. Almost.

[tiger fancini]