David Beckham to play for L.A. Galaxy

[JWsleep]

I am very leary of this move--it reminds me of how the old NASL did things, and they folded.

They need home grown talent, soccer-only stadiums, and proper loca promotion and support. The dumbest thing is the way the league ignores inner city folk, particularly recent and past immigrants from Latin America. They seem to mainly be aiming at the soccer mom crowd in the NYC area--that's one market, but there are tons of other fans the league is missing.

That being said, it will be hard, no matter what, to really make the league work. In the US, a good athlete (your typical multi-sport high school athlete) does not go into soccer. Why would you when it's so much easier to get scholarship money in football, basketball, and baseball? Plus, if you have any shot at the big three, say because you can run a 4.2 40 or something, why would you choose soccer? The chance at a serious payday is much better elsewhere. Therefore, unlike in other countries, the good athletes will never go into soccer, unless they have some special reason, like Claudio Reyna who was raised in Argentina (I believe...).

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

I am very leary of this move--it reminds me of how the old NASL did things, and they folded.

They need home grown talent, soccer-only stadiums, and proper loca promotion and support. The dumbest thing is the way the league ignores inner city folk, particularly recent and past immigrants from Latin America. They seem to mainly be aiming at the soccer mom crowd in the NYC area--that's one market, but there are tons of other fans the league is missing.

Here in DC, the league totally caters to the Immigrant population...On any given night, I'm willing to bet that over 1/2 the crowd is of Latin descent. It also helps that they play at RFK, which is very Metro friendly. And once the new ownership (hence how Beckham got his contract, the guy who owns the Galaxy, just sold the United to a bunch of Dukies) gets a stadium deal, it'll be a soccer only stadium that will totally rock.

The league has been around 10+ years, and has been successful. It's time to broaden the horizon, and signing Beckham will not only give the league global exposure, it'll bring more money into the league, to be able to develop homegrown talent.

[JWsleep]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

Here in DC, the league totally caters to the Immigrant population...On any given night, I'm willing to bet that over 1/2 the crowd is of Latin descent. It also helps that they play at RFK, which is very Metro friendly. And once the new ownership (hence how Beckham got his contract, the guy who owns the Galaxy, just sold the United to a bunch of Dukies) gets a stadium deal, it'll be a soccer only stadium that will totally rock.

The league has been around 10+ years, and has been successful. It's time to broaden the horizon, and signing Beckham will not only give the league global exposure, it'll bring more money into the league, to be able to develop homegrown talent.

That's good to hear, BD. In NYC, it seems they went the other way with the "NY/NJ Metrostars". But now that they are the "Redbulls" perhaps they'll begin to tap into new markets. Plus, they are supposed to be building a soccer only stadium near Newark, in a pretty industrial area. It's very accessible by public transport, so hopefully, that will help.