Beckham gets $250 million!!!

[scuba]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=399503&root=mls&cc=5901

Holy crap! $50 mil/yr just to run around and kick a ball a few times! Where do I sign up! A-Rod is jealous of this guy! :p

[DLee25]

sorry to offend anyone, i hate soccer. good for beckham, thats rediculous, and he is overpaid

[VanMan]

When I heard that on the Rome radio show this morning, I was flabergasted. $250 million? I was wondering the terms, but since they said it was five years, A-Rod's got to be jealous. However, I do think Beckham is worth the money, provided he a) increases the visibility, popularity and talent of MLS in both the world and American soccer scene and b) increases attendance at MLS matches and ratings on ESPN and ABC. I had a passing thought that Beckham's signing might be the biggest since Pele signed with the New York Cosmos in the old NASL.

[HOLYCOW!25]

He may be past his prime, but then again, he's been playing in Europe for years, and most of the people in the MLS aren't up to the same calibar as European soccer players, so I think he'll definetly be able to show what he's got left in him here in the US.

I really do like soccer, so I love the fact that he's coming to the US, because it will definetly increase the popularity of soccer, and attract more fans. And since I'm getting half season tickets for the Chicago Fire this upcoming season, I'll probably get to see him play. If not, I'm getting tickets to a LA Galaxy game.

And if you think of how his $250 million deal is going, and compare it to other MLS players salaries, it's absolutly ridiculous. Imagine a baseball player getting a contract in the billions, and that's how much greater is contract is compared to other players. Landon Donovan only made $900,000 last year. And few players broke the 1 million mark. So it is ridiculous for them to spend that much on Beckham. But in the end, I do think it will be a good investment for LA Galaxy, and great for the MLS.

[dundeecub]

Hmmm. To put this deal in a soccer perspective: as far as I'm aware Ronaldinho makes the most per week (which is how we do things, it just is) at around $400k (much more than even most quality internationals), whereas Beckham is getting $500k if these numbers are true. To make a point, England's second most high profile player: Wayne Rooney, just signed a new contract for $170k/w so this is still silly money. I don't have the actual figures but I would wager that Beckhams wage will be close to the sum total of everyone else in the MLS put together (at least until other aging Euros go out - e.g. Edgar Davids). It would certainly pay for the entire professional game in Scotland (wahey!), which tbh, is just downright horrific.

These figures must include a whopping amount for image rights, which is effectively the only reason Real Madrid signed him in the first place: his following in Asia is unprecedented. The image rights proviso will also be how the adaptation of the salary cap (such is my understanding) will be circumvented.

As far as I can tell from what I've read, most people seem to be quite happy that he has gone to LA, and are only concerned about the money, but you can bet that the LA owners and MLS have done their figures and really think he will benefit the league in the hundreds of millions (it must be remembered what he will bring in in shirt sales in Asia, and he will). This has to be the key argument: they wouldn't have done it if the numbers didn't add up. The Anschutz group is about money (and HolyCow, being as how the Phil Anschutz owns the Fire too, I reckon he'll be in Chicago at some point).

It's certainly fair to say that Beckham's career is winding down, he was dropped from the England squad after the world cup, and has only started 3 games for Real this season. But I have no doubt he will benefit greatly from a step down in difficulty, his technical ability going forward is still world class: he has been worn down because he doesn't have a good enough all-round game anymore.

Economically and professionally, for MLS and Beckham, this may still be worth it.

[Webgem]

Makes So's contract look weak...:D :D

[HOLYCOW!25]

These figures must include a whopping amount for image rights

Yea, I heard about 80% of the money is coming from advertisments.

[bringbacktuffy]

The thing about the MLS is that the teams themselves dont actually pay the players, the league does. They have a revenue sharing system in place, which for the time being, i think is smart since many of the teams in the league couldnt survive on their own. This is more of a league investment to bring a bigger spotlight onto the league. Beckham is the worlds most recognizable and arguably at one time the most talented player in the world. Bringning Beckham here is a lure for other, more talented players to come here and shine and get Americans more interested in the game. There hasnt been a soccer player that has been a household name in this country since Pele, and look what that did for the Cosmos.

[DLee25]

Beckham will make nearly $137,000 dollars a day, for five years.

[HOLYCOW!25]

I actually just found out I'm getting season tickets this year, so I'm definetly seeing him. It's gonna be awesome.

[VanMan]

I actually just found out I'm getting season tickets this year, so I'm definetly seeing him. It's gonna be awesome.
Well, you'd have to be there at Toyota Park in a Galaxy-Fire game after August, because that's when Becks is joining the team after his Real Madrid contract ends in June.

[scuba]

I actually just found out I'm getting season tickets this year, so I'm definetly seeing him. It's gonna be awesome.

Cool for you, holycow! That should be pretty sweet. :D

[HOLYCOW!25]

It would be soo cool to see him. Our seats won't be 3rd row like last year though. I loved the fact that I could yell at the players from the other team. I seriously ripped this guy Henderson from the New York Red Bulls a new *******. And he retired after last season, so I can't help but feeling partly responsible. I also told Landon Donovan to STFU at the Open Cup Championship Match. And He didn't scream like he was the rest of the game.

[dundeecub]

Just a warning to those who are excited about seeing Becks:

he rarely does anything with the ball when it's in play - he's a dead ball master but isn't fast nor does he have good close control (I saw him a few years back when he was still at Man Utd, and however 'valuable' he is, nobody could say he has improved since...)

Funny story, but the moment Beckham became famous, his goal from his own half against Wimbledon (youtube it, it's a decent goal - although it says a lot about Scottish football, that was our keeper who was lobbed...), my flatmate was actually at that game but had already left when it went in. Took him a while to mention it to us - shame will forever be heaped upon him....

[HOLYCOW!25]

Even if he doesn't have good ball control, he'll do good in the MLS. I've seen some terrible handling in the past.

[ChinMusic22]

I don't like soccer a all, but what there doing witrh Beckham is basically insulting to the rest of the guys in MLS. My wife's friend is engaged to a guy who played for the Red Bull, and he made under 50K a year. He retired a month ago (not that Henderson guy), and took a job with Adidas, so hopefully the job ad move to Portland will pay off...

[HOLYCOW!25]

I don't like soccer a all, but what there doing witrh Beckham is basically insulting to the rest of the guys in MLS. My wife's friend is engaged to a guy who played for the Red Bull, and he made under 50K a year. He retired a month ago (not that Henderson guy), and took a job with Adidas, so hopefully the job ad move to Portland will pay off...

Right before you said it wasn't Henderson, I started feeling like a total *** because I thought it was gonna be Henderson, after I admited to chewing his *** out at a game. I felt so releaved when I saw it wasn't.

[VanMan]

I just read in today's USA Today Sports section (at the end of the section near where they have their agates) that MLS might try to buy out and transfer Beckham before the transfer deadline at the end of the month from Real Madrid. The report made mention that Real might not use him much anymore after his big contract. I also heard on FSR that Real's president said Beckham is coming to the U.S. because "nobody else wanted him." Becks wanted to come to MLS only because he wanted to come to the U.S. and improve our brand of soccer.

[dundeecub]

I just read in today's USA Today Sports section (at the end of the section near where they have their agates) that MLS might try to buy out and transfer Beckham before the transfer deadline at the end of the month from Real Madrid. The report made mention that Real might not use him much anymore after his big contract. I also heard on FSR that Real's president said Beckham is coming to the U.S. because "nobody else wanted him." Becks wanted to come to MLS only because he wanted to come to the U.S. and improve our brand of soccer.

Quite. Fabio Capello (the Real coach) has said on a couple of occasions now that Beckham will not play for the club again because "someone with such a valuable contract with another team cannot be relied upon". Seemingly Real are FURIOUS at Beckham for not telling them that he was negotiating with MLS. But MLS have also said now that they can't afford to buy out the last few months of his contract, but being as how MLS season doesn't start until april, something may get worked out. Apparently a couple of English clubs tried to get him on loan until he moves but he won't play for an English team other than Man Utd.

[dundeecub]

I don't like soccer a all, but what there doing witrh Beckham is basically insulting to the rest of the guys in MLS. My wife's friend is engaged to a guy who played for the Red Bull, and he made under 50K a year. He retired a month ago (not that Henderson guy), and took a job with Adidas, so hopefully the job ad move to Portland will pay off...

I haven't looked out the actual numbers, and I've no doubt his base salary will be much more than anyone else, but most of his crazy money is coming for image rights and relate to how much the MLS and Galaxy benefit from having him. In the long run, if he draws in extra crowds, tv money and merchandising then other players in the mls will feel the benefit in the long term.

[CUBScrazy22]

sorry to offend anyone, i hate soccer. good for beckham, thats rediculous, and he is overpaid

I agree. If it wasn't for him, no one would hear about his wife Victoria "Posh spice" or any of the other Spice Girls lol. I wonder what happened to the spice girls anyway...

[dundeecub]

I agree. If it wasn't for him, no one would hear about his wife Victoria "Posh spice" or any of the other Spice Girls lol. I wonder what happened to the spice girls anyway...

I don't quite agree: the spice girls and david beckham worked well in tandem, increasing each others appeal. Posh was what brought Becks off the back page and onto the front page.

And if you really were wondering: Baby - just released a new single, nearly won Celebrity Ballroom Dancing; Posh - nowt, justs pals around with Katie Holmes and shoots her mouth off, ostensibily a full-time mother; Ginger - just had a kid, UN ambassador (go figure); Scary - having Eddie Murphy's kid; Sporty - absolutely no idea.

dc - worried that i knew all that off the top of my head...

[CUBScrazy22]

I don't quite agree: the spice girls and david beckham worked well in tandem, increasing each others appeal. Posh was what brought Becks off the back page and onto the front page.

And if you really were wondering: Baby - just released a new single, nearly won Celebrity Ballroom Dancing; Posh - nowt, justs pals around with Katie Holmes and shoots her mouth off, ostensibily a full-time mother; Ginger - just had a kid, UN ambassador (go figure); Scary - having Eddie Murphy's kid; Sporty - absolutely no idea.

dc - worried that i knew all that off the top of my head...

lol thanks! :)

[dundeecub]

lol thanks! :)

yeah, no problem ¬_¬

[Brutus T Manstrength]

Haha.. that's hilarious.. when saw that you asked what happened to the spice girls, I was going to say.. "ask dundee cub, he'll know.. he's from over there.." and I scroll down, and who's answered it, but Dundee Cub.. haha.

[dundeecub]

Haha.. that's hilarious.. when saw that you asked what happened to the spice girls, I was going to say.. "ask dundee cub, he'll know.. he's from over there.." and I scroll down, and who's answered it, but Dundee Cub.. haha.

i do what i can!

[Brutus T Manstrength]

And thats why we keep you around.. you're our eyes and ears in the UK

[CUBScrazy22]

Speaking of international Cubs fan, go to this website:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5zEHF_ajIw

It's hilarious but it's got a lot of cusswords so if you don't like cusswords watch out. It's called Angry German Cubs fan. The end of it has stuff about the cards but other than like the last 5 seconds its funny.

[HOLYCOW!25]

I remember seeing that video with the Cubs stuff awhile ago.

But I self translated some of the stuff the kid's actually saying. It's pretty obvious what he's saying most of the time. He's just yelling at the computer for his game to start up. And the part in the video where those subtitles say he's saying, "CHICAGO CUBS RULE!", he's actually cheering that the games starting. Then he gets pissed cause it's not working. And I remember seeing a part in another video where he's saying something like, "I'm not crazy, I don't need help" which is kinda creepy. But they cut it outta this one.

NOTE: After looking around I realized there were already copies of the video that were translated, so that could of saved me a lot of time.

[CUBScrazy22]

lol...some of my friends were worried that I'm like that but I'm not really. I've never damaged the computer, but the TV has had a couple close calls before lol...especially with bartman. Then I realized it wasn't the tv's fault and figured I'd just take my anger out on the nearest sox fan. The nearest sox fan though is my dad, so I have to watch it lol!

[DLee25]

Looks like they will be paying beckham a lot for being hurt.

Out indefinitely (knee)

[BigZ38]

They said he should only miss about 6 weeks. Plus the rights aren't traded over to LA until June. This shouldn't hurt them unless it's a devastating injury.

[TRIPLE PLAY]

I heard about an injury today--getting the old M.R.I. tommorrow, HA! it figures,that & he's married to "sporty spice"? maybe she can take his roster spot-lol

[dundeecub]

Flimshaw, he'll be back by mid-april. And he's married to posh, not sporty...