2007-02-12 04:01:22 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football ➔ Other - Football
He already has. The LA Galaxy have already sold 5000 more season tickets this season than they had at this time last year. And longer-term, Beckham will make it more attractive for other players to come to the MLS. Probably at first that will be players toward the end of their careers, but eventually it will be people in their prime. The real question in my mind is whether the amount that Beckham increases the MLS' popularity is worth the huge salary he's being paid. That remains to be seen, but I think it would be great for the sport if it worked out well for everyone involved.
2007-02-12 04:38:13 · answer #1 · answered by Otis T 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
MLS is sort of run differently than other professional leagues in that not each franchise has a seperate owner. In that sense, if the Los Angeles Galaxy bring in more money, it transfers over to other teams.
Short term- yes. Beckham will sell out everywhere this summer and drum up some higher TV ratings. Long term- it depends. What the MLS will need to accept sometime in the future is that their insistence on a spring to summer schedule will hurt the league in that it does not work well with the schedules elite players want to play- they get used to playing the fall to spring played by the elite European leagues. Beckham only works if he and the owners convince other big worldwide stars to play in North America and can sustain it over years and decades. The NASL did this thirty years ago with Pele, but there were no more like him and the league ultimately folded within seven years of his retirement.
2007-02-12 14:16:51 · answer #2 · answered by Patrick M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the short run it might have some benefits, but I'm worried that in the long run it's not sustainable. A smaller market club like the Kansas City Wizards has trouble bringing in crowds or attracting the necessary investments to get a soccer-specific stadium, and clubs like LA signing Beckham might widen the gap. In my view the primary focus for MLS right now should be to get clubs still playing in NFL stadiums or similarly ill-suited stadiums out of there. That to me should be a higher priority than signing big names.
2007-02-12 13:02:55 · answer #3 · answered by David 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rome wasn't built in a day.
I think Beckham's move will open up doors for more opportunities to expand the MLS's growth in the future. He is just another building block that hopefully we'll be able to build upon in the future. I don't think his move will change soccer over into the most popular sport in America, but I do think it will give way to many more opportunities to make soccer even bigger here.
2007-02-12 20:28:03 · answer #4 · answered by sweetpanther08 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it will. The LA team has reported an increase in tickets sale for the upcoming season. Plus Beckham will bring something that is lacking in American Football (speed). The US Game is very slow compared to European football. So Yes I think he will be instrumental in bring the worlds most popular sport to the US.
2007-02-12 12:50:31 · answer #5 · answered by Cheeks 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's hard to say. We already have our much-loved sports in this country, and soccer has not been one of them. That said, more and more children are playing the game each year. And you've got to admit, David Beckham is amazingly hot!!!
2007-02-12 12:12:00 · answer #6 · answered by Lalalalalala 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He will help improve the quality of play for the Galaxy, which will be more interesting to watch for casual sports fans.
If the Galaxy have a dominating stretch, there will likely be questions about their caliber versus foreign clubs.
He will also help improve the play of US national team members - Donovan needs a Shepherd.
His impact will be short term, and long term in my view.
2007-02-12 14:19:33 · answer #7 · answered by super Bobo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are more intrested arnt you? alot more americans will be intrested with him there also david beckhams fans will follow him there and others as well it will definatley make it more popular but how much i dont know!
2007-02-12 12:55:47 · answer #8 · answered by DEANO`S SON 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did George Best? Did Cruijff? Did Banks? Beardsley? Moore? Sanchez? Müller? Did Pele or Beckenbauer? They all played in the US; do you know what happened to the NASL?
They tried this before, it failed.
They well try it again, and it well probably fail as well.
2007-02-12 12:22:37 · answer #9 · answered by Wittmann 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
maybe not right away because not a lot of people pay attention to MLS
2007-02-12 16:44:05 · answer #10 · answered by Eric 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋