Q & A: Beckham in the MLS
Q: I'm so happy David Beckham is coming to America and playing in the MLS next season. What impact do you see him having on the game over here?
A: I'm sure Beckham will have a huge impact initially on soccer in the US, generating increased ticket sales and interest in the MLS. How this interest develops and is sustained, however, is of more importance for American soccer. Unlike most American sports, soccer is not high scoring and many aspects of performance are subjective. Undoubtedly, Beckham is a very talented player, but he is unlikely to score every week, nor dominate matches; it his not his game. Cynical it may seem, but the average American sports fan is looking for goals, and Beckham needs to find his range with his trademark free-kicks quickly, or fans need to adjust their expectations.
Q: I'm so happy David Beckham is coming to America and playing in the MLS next season. What impact do you see him having on the game over here?
A: I'm sure Beckham will have a huge impact initially on soccer in the US, generating increased ticket sales and interest in the MLS. How this interest develops and is sustained, however, is of more importance for American soccer. Unlike most American sports, soccer is not high scoring and many aspects of performance are subjective. Undoubtedly, Beckham is a very talented player, but he is unlikely to score every week, nor dominate matches; it his not his game. Cynical it may seem, but the average American sports fan is looking for goals, and Beckham needs to find his range with his trademark free-kicks quickly, or fans need to adjust their expectations.
The biggest aspect of American soccer that needs to grow is the professional game. Youth soccer is huge; the biggest participation sport in the country among young players. But there is a reason talented young athletes choose to pursue baseball, football or basketball ahead of soccer - money. The average salary of an MLS player is around $30000 a year, compare that with the NBA, NFL or MLB and you get the idea. The top 1 or 2% of young players, those with the ablity and aspiration to play professional sports, surely factor in this when deciding upon a sport to specialize in. Beckham, and other big-name foreign players the MLS hope will follow, will ultimately generate interest, which will attract more advertising and sponsorship to the game, meaning an increase in revenue. In England, the Premiership didn't develop the prestige or finances associated with the league today until foreigners started coming to play in the league in the mid-1990s.
Whatever happens, Beckham-mania is already starting to hit these shores, and will provide an excellent role-model for young soccer players, so let's hope the world's most popular game continues to grow in America.
Jim
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