Off Topic · OT - beckham to MLS (page 1)

djsunyc @ 1/11/2007 12:14 PM
Beckham to Sign $200 Million L.A. Galaxy Contract, Sky Reports

By James Ludden

Jan. 11 (Bloomberg) -- David Beckham, who last year lost his position as soccer's highest-paid player, is leaving Real Madrid and will sign a five-year contract worth more than $200 million with Los Angeles Galaxy, Sky News reported.

The former England captain will move to Major League Soccer in August, the report said.

Major League Soccer spokesman Dan Courtemanche didn't immediately return a message left on his cell phone or respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
Solace @ 1/11/2007 12:16 PM
Posted by djsunyc:

Beckham to Sign $200 Million L.A. Galaxy Contract, Sky Reports

By James Ludden

Jan. 11 (Bloomberg) -- David Beckham, who last year lost his position as soccer's highest-paid player, is leaving Real Madrid and will sign a five-year contract worth more than $200 million with Los Angeles Galaxy, Sky News reported.

The former England captain will move to Major League Soccer in August, the report said.

Major League Soccer spokesman Dan Courtemanche didn't immediately return a message left on his cell phone or respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Wha? $200 million for 5 years? I know he's like the greatest soccer player... but, um, do all the MLS teams combined even make up $200 million?
Nalod @ 1/11/2007 12:20 PM
40 mil a year? Wow!

Does the league suppliment that figure?
Is there a TV deal to help pay that?
Broadcast back to Europe pay that much?

I recognize the RedBulls are stepping it up also for more global recognition.

Who owns the Galaxy? Dolan?

WOW!
nyk4ever @ 1/11/2007 12:20 PM
Holy Jesus. 40 million a year!!!

Beckham is a hell of a soccer player but this makes me wonder if he's lost a serious step if he's going to MLS. He wasn't even that good in the World Cup and even at the end of the Cup, he was stripped of his captaincy of England. I'm surprised his wife (Posh Spice) is allowing this, she is nearly as big of an icon in England as Beckham is.
VDesai @ 1/11/2007 12:26 PM
They are saying 5 years 250 million now. Unbelievable.
VDesai @ 1/11/2007 12:28 PM
Thing is, he's pretty much a middle of the road player these days. He's past his peak. He's a huge name draw though, and a huge merchandise draw. And as far as tabloid fodder goes, he's king.
Nalod @ 1/11/2007 12:36 PM

dodger78 @ 1/11/2007 12:49 PM
250 Mil. is unbelievable!!! First of this is soccer, second he is not even top ten or top twenty talent in soccer...
Hes way past his prime like Figo, Ronaldo etc.
Not much left in his tank and even in his best times he was an even more one dimensional than Allan H.
DarkKnicks @ 1/11/2007 12:50 PM
Beckham is FINISHED. And he was never GREAT, he was just a good player, but now he's way past his prime. Anyway, maybe this kind of things can make soccer become a little bit bigger in USA.
edsonline @ 1/11/2007 12:50 PM
WTF?! not only is this not Knicks related, it is not even basketball related. why isn't this in the OFF TPOIC FOURM? WTF?!
Solace @ 1/11/2007 1:17 PM
Posted by edsonline:

WTF?! not only is this not Knicks related, it is not even basketball related. why isn't this in the OFF TPOIC FOURM? WTF?!

It's tagged as OT. Relax.
NYKBocker @ 1/11/2007 1:37 PM
MLS is probably banking on the same outcome the Cosmos got with Pele.
firefly @ 1/11/2007 2:11 PM
This is actually better business then you guys think. He is bing paid 4 times more then the next highest paid player in the world. There is no doubt in my mind that he has signed over his image rights for this deal. And that's why it makes sense for the MLS. The image that Beckham will bring to the MLS will (at least this is what they are banking on) turn fans on, and hopefully start filling stadiums.

Reported hre BTW that his deal is only $2m less then ARod overall. So ARod is still the highest paid athlete in the world.
firefly @ 1/11/2007 2:13 PM
Oh and also, yeah Beckham is past his prime. Regardless, he can still do some pretty sweet things in a football pitch.
TMS @ 1/11/2007 2:15 PM
Posted by firefly:

This is actually better business then you guys think. He is bing paid 4 times more then the next highest paid player in the world. There is no doubt in my mind that he has signed over his image rights for this deal. And that's why it makes sense for the MLS. The image that Beckham will bring to the MLS will (at least this is what they are banking on) turn fans on, and hopefully start filling stadiums.

Reported hre BTW that his deal is only $2m less then ARod overall. So ARod is still the highest paid athlete in the world.


i think i've read somewhere that Formular 1 star Michael Schumacher made more than $25 mil per when he was in his heyday... don't have the article link handy tho.
firefly @ 1/11/2007 2:26 PM
Posted by TMS:
Posted by firefly:

This is actually better business then you guys think. He is bing paid 4 times more then the next highest paid player in the world. There is no doubt in my mind that he has signed over his image rights for this deal. And that's why it makes sense for the MLS. The image that Beckham will bring to the MLS will (at least this is what they are banking on) turn fans on, and hopefully start filling stadiums.

Reported hre BTW that his deal is only $2m less then ARod overall. So ARod is still the highest paid athlete in the world.


i think i've read somewhere that Formular 1 star Michael Schumacher made more than $25 mil per when he was in his heyday... don't have the article link handy tho.

Schumacher made his money on his cut of the F1 sponsorship deals, which are the biggest in the world. He didn't make is money off a single contract. ARods guaranteed deal at approx. 250 mill is the biggest in history.


On a side note. Now that you guys are getting Beckham in the US, check out Ali G's interview with the Beckhams for Comic Relief. Find it on youtube. Funniest piece of TV ever!
TMS @ 1/11/2007 2:31 PM
yeah, it's a funny clip

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P842Tmi6lrc[/youtube]
dodger78 @ 1/11/2007 2:53 PM
LMAO!!!!!
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