LA has a Becks

A treat for all those loyal BCMSB Fans, a preview of my latest column in the first Kingsman of the semester:

There is arguably no bigger name in professional sports than David Beckham in the world. Now, Becks brings his game, his many different fashion styles and his family across the pond to the States.

The former England captain and soon to be former Real Madrid midfielder signed a monster contract with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, reportedly worth $250 million over five years in move that can only increase the profile of the American domestic league.

Soccer in the United States has always been a second class sport. The North American Soccer League, a league built around the great Pele back in the 70’s went out of business after overspending. It wasn’t until the 1994 World Cup which was held in the United States that the idea of another American soccer league was thought of.

MLS avoided the pitfalls of the NASL, instituting a salary cap for all the clubs in the league up until this year. The “designated player rule” or the so called “Beckham rule” allowed the clubs of MLS to sign one player outside of the salary cap.

Beckham is no longer what he was at the peak of his abilities, but he’s still a very effective soccer player. His passes and free kicks are still amongst the best in the world and his addition to MLS would add instant publicity to a league that badly needs it. Players on the US National Team such as Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey are good, perhaps underrated, but they don’t have the drawing power that Beckham has. As George Steinbrenner once famously said Beckham will “put fannies in the seats.”

Beckham isn’t, however, a savior. He is a limited player who lost his place in Real Madrid after new coach Fabio Capello decided to bench the 31-year-old for most of the season. Beckham is limited with his soccer abilities, he isn’t the fastest player and for a player who is known for his dead ball skills, he doesn’t score many goals.

The fact remains, however, that Beckham will provide more interest in soccer in America. The impact remains to be seen. Soccer is growing in popularity, as witnessed with the ratings of this summer’s World Cup in Germany. But many Americans who are interested in soccer are more interested in the European leagues, while MLS sorely lags in ratings and in fans. With a cultural icon such as Beckham coming to these shores and the investment in “Mr. Posh Spice”, MLS is hoping for an explosion of fan interest. That will not happen overnight.

It is important for MLS to get more than just Beckham. Ronaldo, the Brazilian goal scoring wizard and Beckham’s teammate at Real Madrid has spent most of this season on the bench and has been rumored to join the New York Red Bulls If MLS can get a few big stars to join the league and not lose financial sanity while doing it, it’s a fantastic opportunity to cash in and create interest in the league.

The play on the field can only improve as well. Adding a player like Ronaldo or Beckham will showcase new talents to the players on the field and will no doubt force them to step up their level of play.

Soccer may never reach the levels of the big four sports in this country. But there is a hope that it can reach heights it’s never reached.