Beckham Mania?

[Engleaf]

Well David & Victoria finally make their eagerly? anticipated debut in LA and you guys will be seeing "Brand Beckham" in full force.

Whats the buzz out there?

I have seen ESPN News a few times and they are featuring on that alot. Is there any real interest where you guys are? Particularly Barilko & Pam on the West Coast

[stugats1]

No one really cares in my neck of the woods. Engleaf is Beckham that good? I did see him with one fo those nice corner kicks in the last WC. But not a big soccor guy here.

[Engleaf]

Hi Stu

Beckham has been imho the most over rated English player in my lifetime. Dispite being a deadly passer of the ball from a free kick or corner, his gameis one dimentional.

The closest parrallel I can draw is he is almost like a kicker in US football. Unlike US Football, frequent substitution is not part of soccer so some times you carry Beckham just for the "dead ball" situation. I could never understand how 11 players can accomodate a floater like him.

For a midfielder he lacks pace, commitment and cant head a ball.

However he has been the center of attention, not only here in England but Spain with Real Madrid and is adored throught the rest of the world. He has scored some stunning Free Kick goals, worthy of Brazillian skills but its all about image and marketing. He is always in the headlines for wearing new haircuts and fashion clothes and having a spice girl as a wife hasnt hurt him either.

Will be interesting for us in Europe to watch how America takes to him?

[Gerard]

Been catching it up here as well and, yeah, it's kinda hard to miss. I am just learning about 'football' (luv to watch Soccer Sat.) so I cannot say anything about his worth overall but it cert. sounds like the media/LA/celeb. lifestyle angle was worth the 250 M all by itself. America loves it's celebrities even if they're borrowed. ;D

[Engleaf]

Oh the deal makes sense from a Business point OM no doubt.

Guy basically prints money for his club and shirt sales will be global. LA Galaxy and MLS will be getting more publicity worldwide with Beckham in tow for sure.

It reminds me a little of when Gretzky went to LA in the late 80's in order to whipp up a frenzy in the sun belt for Hockey. I think this is MLS ownership making a huge name signing to whipp up a frenzy not only in the American media but in Thailand, India, Europe, etc etc.

Also sidenote to watch for here, Big big money has been ploughed in by wealthy US Sports owners like Tom Hicks and Randy LEaener to English Premier clubs.

The money is pouring in, so I dont think this media drive is merely a coincedence

[Leafs_Pam]

I don't like soccer. Never have, never will. For months now, the media even in San Diego has been talking about Beckham. I got tired of hearing about him. I just started about it every time they talked about him in the sports reports. I've even gotten to the point of changing the channel after . I could care less about him. Wayne to the Kings was the most important thing to me. Because of Wayne, we got NHL in N. Cal. Hockey is all I really care about anymore.

[Engleaf]

admin said:

Hockey is all I really care about anymore.

Me too Pam, Hockey is my first love. However, football (soccer) is a national obsession here, so I do keep tabs on whats going on but Hockey will always be no1 for me.

[Leafs_Pam]

Last night at 8pm when I was checking what was on the channels, I saw NBC had a 'Beckham Special'. It was about Mrs. Beckham moving her family here. I just when I read the description and moved on. He might not even play in the game on Saturday because "he's nursing a sore ankle from a previous injury." Another over the hill aging athelete that is over hyped?

[stugats1]

The L.A. team which Beckham plays on, played a game here in Massachusetts Sunday night against the local team the N.E. Revolution. The game was close to a sell out which is unheard of (maybe it ended up selling out) Usually they get about 12,000 or so tops. in order to be able to buy tickets for this game you had to buy tickets for two others... It ends up David did not even play in the game. Fans were very upset. Not sure if anything will be done for the fans. Now they are "stuck" with two other games.

[Leafs_Pam]

He wasn't even playing on the team the first few weeks here due to his injury before joining the team. Then the first night he played he was sent in on relief. The Galaxy lost the game. So far I don't think he has played much and he hasn't done much for them when he has. If he doesn't improve Beckham could come back to bite the Galaxy in the ass. They were getting more fans because he was joining the Galaxy. If he doesn't pan out they will probably lose fans again. I'm beginning to think he was over hyped to the league and the team. Personally, I could care less.