JPHiP Forum

General => Sports => Topic started by: Asmodai on January 11, 2007, 06:41:15 PM

Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Asmodai on January 11, 2007, 06:41:15 PM: Soccer superstar David Beckham has agreed to a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy, leaving the Real Madrid club at which he enjoyed worldwide popularity. "I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own," Beckham said in a statement. (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/01/11/beckham.mls/index.html?cnn=yes)

Uh....

I hope he realizes that he'll be in a sport less popular than hockey, and only marginally more so than lacrosse...

My thoughts:
L.A. Galaxy will go bankrupt within 3 years trying to pay him.
Beckham will hate being a nobody in L.A.
This was all about Posh Spice wanting to live in L.A.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 11, 2007, 07:23:24 PM: ^ Agreed with everything you've said. Going to play for L.A. Galaxy is basically admitting that his best days are behind him. At 31 I think he still could have played in a more, dare I say, better league. Although he has admitted that he would only return to the Premiership for Man Utd and no-one else. But then, he did say he wants to make a decision that's good for his family. Good for Victoria I suppose, what with personal ties to a certain couple, but I think it might be difficult for the kids. Romeo is apparently turning out into a growing talent in the football school he's enrolled in, and that's according to ex-Real Madrid players.

Anyway, he and the family will get less publicity in America than over here, where paparazzi are hunting them every second. And I'm sure that's what's lead to the decision. But I can't help wondering that David's obvious skill will simply just go to waste...

I have a question though, with regards to his salary (250 million in 5 years?!). Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I heard that American football players are payed an equal salary by the league. With David coming in at a much higher rate than any other player, will the salary have to be increased to compensate for current players or what?
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Nobodylikeher on January 11, 2007, 08:05:42 PM: omg i am so wrong to think he might be going liverpool lol
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: anythursday on January 11, 2007, 08:21:44 PM: wow... big flashy games to ....
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Saburo on January 11, 2007, 11:53:42 PM: wahhhh???

He's getting A-Rod money for a pro league that has no money (and no national TV contract either?). Who owns this team in LA and what kind of credit do they have to pay this guy?

And at what age do soccer players begin to decline? I'll bet it's in their mid-twenties, on average.

Of course what do I know? I couldn't even ID "Posh" Spice in a lineup with a cheat sheet.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 12, 2007, 12:25:25 AM: Quote from: Saburo;280663

And at what age do soccer players begin to decline? I'll bet it's in their mid-twenties, on average.

Normally it's in their early/mid 30's that they think about retiring. But some still show they're as good as ever. Hell Teddy Sherringham is still playing and he's in his late 30's/early 40's!!
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: JFC on January 12, 2007, 02:16:50 AM: Quote
"He's rubbish," said Steve Didcott, a consultant mulling the deal from a pub. "And if you're rubbish, you go to the States."
Yes, you go to the States, for a 5 year contract worth $50 Million/year.

If all rubbish gets paid like that, I wanna be rubbish.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: JTRIX on January 12, 2007, 02:20:32 AM: The only thing I know is that I'm happy for him to be in America, since he will have a chance to come to Toronto and play. That means I can see him play even if I don't have to go to England or US now!
:D
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Thimas X on January 12, 2007, 04:57:14 AM: They're hoping to make more money with him there....but I don't think it would be enough to pay his contract.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: ctz on January 12, 2007, 05:35:40 AM: I hope this means less useless Beckham-stories in newspapers in Europe :)
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: amuse on January 12, 2007, 05:49:10 AM: BBC article about the breakup of his projected annual income (salary + sponsorship deals)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6253829.stm

Soccer (football) in America is like F1 or WRC... it just doesn't work in that country. But at least now I'll have a chance to finally watch him play live, even though his teammates will suck and it won't be as entertaining as watching him play for Man Utd, Real Madrid, or England :(
I can't stand watching MLS though. There's more excitement in local high school games than in major MLS matches......

Being a Beckham fan myself since I was young... here are 2 recent memorable clips:

Beckham scores a classic free kick to give England the lead in the knock-out round when they were playing like shit in World Cup 2006
[yt]ixP1lGZISQs[/yt]

Beckham scores an amazing free kick to take England to World Cup 2002. England would not have qualified if it weren't for his goal late in the game. It was the last chance England had and Beckham had to score...
[yt]sHM1mjsQIm4[/yt]
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: maliciel on January 12, 2007, 01:29:05 PM: Damn. I wanted him to go to Liverpool :lol:

I have this idealized version of becks in my head. One who would be happy just to play football, no matter where he was, and how much he was paid. I guess he'll miss playing for a big club, but playing definitely beats being a bench warmer, no matter where you are.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 12, 2007, 02:41:43 PM: ^ The thing is though, no matter how skilled, one man does not make a great team. I've seen MLS and it's a joke when you compare it to other competitive leagues. Without equally skilled players playing alongside you, it would be difficult to really shine.

I've read in the paper that Beckham could earn £50 million a year. Let me put that into persepective. This five year deal with L.A. Galaxy will see Beckham earn £500,000 a week, and that's taking a fixed salary, performance-related bonuses, a share of new merchandising he generates and even a cut of ticket receipts at his new team's stadium into account. The highest salary earning players here in the Premiership, Chelsea's Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, earn £121,000 and £130,000 a week, respectively. And when you look at Galaxy, the highest paid player gets $900,000 a year. Beckham will earn more than him in 2 weeks of playing. And not's not even taking into account his sponsorship deals with Gillette, Motorola, Pepsi etc, which land him an extra £17 mil. He says it's not for the money, but come on. Do they really believe that the average American really cares about a washed up publicity whore in a minority sport? George Best and Pele tried to do it in their twilight years and nothing came out of it.

If it does help improve the quality of football in the US, then great, but I have a feeling he's really just moving so he can have pillow fights with Tom Cruise or something...
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: THUNDERDUCK on January 12, 2007, 11:26:53 PM: This is AMERICA. Soccer (football) is what you make your kids do, and isn't that big here. He'd get better props if he threw on some pads and kicked field goals for the RAIDERS.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: wildstarr on January 13, 2007, 03:06:25 AM: Quote from: Asmodai;280410

I hope he realizes that he'll be in a sport less popular than hockey, and only marginally more so than lacrosse...

Come on. I'm not saying soccer is all that popular here in the states but only saying its mariginally more than lacrosse is just not giving it enough credit. It is leaps and bounds more popular than lacrosse.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Shibo on January 13, 2007, 05:38:14 PM: I'm sure this story is front page news all over Europe, ne? Kinda sad, most people here in the states do not care at all, and many don't even know who Beckham is. As was stated earlier, I'm sure he's looking forward to touring the US and having less paperozzi following him around. I guarantee that nobody would recognize him where I live, heh.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 13, 2007, 06:57:19 PM: ^ Actually, as far as what I can gather from people living in America, didn't every news channel choose the Beckham story over the President's speech on Iraq? :lol:

EDIT

Ouch. So much for wanting to stay to the end of the season and wanting a trophy (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6259063.stm)
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: edhead999 on January 14, 2007, 09:29:31 AM: I think so, it was supposed to be THE thing that Bush announces. Lol Beckham > Bush.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: redbox18 on January 17, 2007, 10:58:09 AM: Looks like now Madrid trying to kick him out sooner, and yet Galaxy is not keen to have him before June.

Ouch, that can't be good for his ego..
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: dnee chan on January 17, 2007, 01:46:47 PM: Yeah Capello said that he won't play beckham anymore T_T
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 26, 2007, 02:43:05 PM: [quote="The San Francisco Chronicle]English soccer ace David Beckham has spent a staggering $1.8 million on the world's most expensive sex toy as a present for his pregnant wife Victoria. The platinum vibrator, with a 10-carat diamond encrusted base linked to a 16-carat diamond necklace, is one of only 10 in the world - and was created by London strip-club owner Peter Stringfellow[/quote]

Sounds like more bling than Rika's necklace! Why do you need diamonds on one anyway? Surely you don't really care if you want to look bling while doing your thing. And you're not exactly going to show it off to visitors in the home..
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Asmodai on January 26, 2007, 04:24:12 PM: Is that an apology for not doing his 'job' well enough?
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: kaminokami2086 on January 26, 2007, 08:09:47 PM: Playing in LA will be a waste of Beckham's talent. I know he's getting old, but still...the MLS? there are a lot of leagues in Europe that aren't as competitive as Series A, and still better than the MLS.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: dnlasers on January 27, 2007, 10:52:29 AM: Quote from: kaminokami2086;293944
Playing in LA will be a waste of Beckham's talent. I know he's getting old, but still...the MLS? there are a lot of leagues in Europe that aren't as competitive as Series A, and still better than the MLS.

Totally agreed
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: aznkidd on January 27, 2007, 10:40:50 PM: I believe that they are wasting their time and money with beckham.. Why not get some more exciting players liek Robinho
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 27, 2007, 10:51:40 PM: Cause they want a footballer who's popular outside of their talent so it will bring attention to a very minor sport. If say someone like Lionel Messi moved to L.A. Galaxy, nobody would care. But because it's David Beckham, and because his wife's Posh Spice, everyone's all over it. I don't care what anyone says, David Beckham's football career died when he signed that contract.

I still don't know how they're going to afford his salary.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: kaminokami2086 on January 30, 2007, 04:58:47 AM: Quote from: aznkidd;294915
I believe that they are wasting their time and money with beckham.. Why not get some more exciting players liek Robinho

Because Robinho still has a career in Europe he has the reputation of a great player but has not achieved the fame most footballers want, signing with an MLS team is not goin to give you that kind of status in the football world.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Asmodai on January 30, 2007, 07:03:46 AM: Quote from: Tuffty;294923
But because it's David Beckham, and because his wife's Posh Spice, everyone's all over it. I don't care what anyone says, David Beckham's football career died when he signed that contract.

Which contract? The one with the Galaxy or the marriage contract with Posh?
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: kaminokami2086 on January 30, 2007, 06:32:00 PM: Quote from: Asmodai;297128
Which contract? The one with the Galaxy or the marriage contract with Posh?

:ROTFLMAO: Now that you mention it, it is a tough distinction.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 30, 2007, 08:50:11 PM: haha Asmo. In related news:

Quote from: David Beckham
I'm the prince, and I'm sort of slaying a dragon, which is something I've never done before, obviously

^ The MLS' latest advertising wheeze, depicting him on a white horse as Prince Charming from Sleeping Beauty.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: sicness on January 31, 2007, 10:12:43 AM: I honestly don't reckon he will have as much success in the US. Most of the people in the US don't want him and posh there so will be interesting to see how it turns out.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Asmodai on January 31, 2007, 05:57:05 PM: I think it's more that they don't care than they don't want him there.

That said, L.A. is full of has-been celebrities, so they'll fit in fine.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on January 31, 2007, 06:33:55 PM: I heard Victoria's landed a role as an 'alien bride' in Tom Cruise's scientology film. Makes we want to kill myself already
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: meltay789 on February 10, 2007, 04:33:25 AM: i hope he does well there:D
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: dorobo on February 12, 2007, 05:24:42 AM: beckham is washed up he's near the end of his career
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: arrancar on February 12, 2007, 09:51:05 AM: Quote from: Tuffty;297497
haha Asmo. In related news:

^ The MLS' latest advertising wheeze, depicting him on a white horse as Prince Charming from Sleeping Beauty.

I thought that was part of some advertising campaign for Disneyland or something.

Anyway, Beckham is so totally overrated right now. He was good in his prime, but right now he's past it, so he's just there for the "look factor" I guess.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: desidarko on February 12, 2007, 09:37:15 PM: rofl , ya beckham is tired and is gonna retire in la , but the thing about posh making him move is true , since he got caught cheating or whatever ... shes actually alwasy been the one with the pants in that house ... but anyways he knows hes not going to be able to keep up very soon addn decided to use his fame to get a 50mill a year contract for his last years , wich imo is pretty nice...
But a shame he will be ending up going to the only country that thinks Football(soccer) is for girls and real men only play american football, yeah thats why the rest of the worl loves football(soccer) above all other sports and hates america.... blah fat arrogent idiots....
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: zodiac12 on February 18, 2007, 02:27:18 PM: Hoho,he want to go Hollywood?
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Thimas X on February 24, 2007, 02:44:57 PM: Doesn't he want to but Madonna's house?
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: sid_coz on March 17, 2007, 03:33:53 PM: he is a spent force..... or may be at the brink of it! Its a wise decision on his part to get booked for the next years. As to guys in the US who signed him...... i wonder what they were thinking..... what would be after they get their initial TRP ratings up. Its all downhill from there for those losers!!!!
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Windragon on March 21, 2007, 11:41:48 AM: Football isnt very popular at all on USA.
Im from Spain (Real Madrid is my favourite football team) and here football is the nacional sport.
Bechkam will probably gives more popularity and "glamour" to football in USA.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: guyyee on March 23, 2007, 03:31:03 PM: he's not gonna last long, us of a is just not a place he can call home.
Title: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: thehell on March 24, 2007, 05:38:28 PM: I used to like him, but now i dont
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Sexykago on April 19, 2007, 03:36:55 PM: Hopefully he'll spur some interest in real football over here.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: jimmydotnet on May 13, 2007, 01:39:38 PM: i still honour him to go to L.A. if he intend to change the american football...coz football isnt famous there...why does he never come to my country...if he really want to change the football atmosphere of a country ::)
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: marktobias on May 13, 2007, 02:12:31 PM: Has he started playing yet? When does the league start over there?
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: makeme on May 13, 2007, 03:22:42 PM: Damn, that 20 million a year more than his contract with real madrid.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: conannd on June 03, 2007, 03:41:28 AM: Quote from: makeme on May 13, 2007, 03:22:42 PM
Damn, that 20 million a year more than his contract with real madrid.

oh really??? no doubt he accept to go to LA..... and maybe he also got influence from victoria for his move....
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: jimmy on June 03, 2007, 09:53:52 PM: Quote from: jimmydotnet on May 13, 2007, 01:39:38 PM
i still honour him to go to L.A. if he intend to change the american football...coz football isnt famous there...why does he never come to my country...if he really want to change the football atmosphere of a country ::)

I don't think he wants the change the football atmosphere of a country as much as he wants to change his bank balance from incredibly rich to ridiculously rich.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Tuffty on July 14, 2007, 12:49:55 PM: I seriously think I'm suffering from Beckham fatigue. In case you didn't know, David Beckham was officially unveiled as an LA Galaxy player on Fri (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6898556.stm), with a ridiculous display of tickertape, anthems, a new Real Madrid-esque shirt and Beckham's new number? 23. The same as Michael Jordan. Of course, there was always going to be a hidden agenda and it was unveiled when Galaxy's manager announced that the new shirt was available for sale :roll:

It's all too much and ridiculously overblown. I mean the Daily Mirror dedicated 6 pages to it today. 6 pages. That was more than when Madeline McCann was kidnapped and more than the floods in England. And it's headline news on TV and everything else. I just desperately hope that because they're in America, the Beckham couple will fade away from the media, but I know it's not going to happen because the media have an obsession with them.

And here's another thing I don't understand. David says he's doing this to elevate foo...soccer, as one of the top sports in the country and to raise awareness. But I don't understand, why should he be concerned about that? He's a footballer! He's not a spokesperson. Another thing is, I know already that one player is not going to replace the likes of American Football or Baseball or Basketball as one of the top pasttimes so that reasoning isn't going to work. Even if it was, Beckham is not the player to do it. He doesn't score goals for a start. He's a crosser, he passes the ball and he doesn't do tricks. The likes of Pele and Best could do these things and they still couldn't raise the game. Basically, Beckham has gone into semi-retirement for a ridiculous sum of money with the MLS. And as for Victoria, I really couldn't care less.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: maliciel on July 15, 2007, 02:54:40 AM: He's by far the biggest name in football the US knows. He probably wouldn't change anything, but I'd like to see him try.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Reanimation on July 22, 2007, 05:18:16 AM: his debut was today. he came out at the 78th minute. got a corner kick.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: Kamesan on July 24, 2007, 11:29:15 PM: I don't normally follow soccer but I watched the match. The crowd cheered whenever he got the ball.

I think his biggest impact will be in getting other players interested in coming over to play in the US. I mean, if the LA Galaxy are willing to pay Beckham that much, what might other players be offered? Maybe not all players will jump ship in their prime but once they reach 30 and above, the offer might be too good to pass up.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: satan ahh lunn on July 24, 2007, 11:44:06 PM: Quote from: Kamesan on July 24, 2007, 11:29:15 PM
I don't normally follow soccer but I watched the match. The crowd cheered whenever he got the ball.

I think his biggest impact will be in getting other players interested in coming over to play in the US. I mean, if the LA Galaxy are willing to pay Beckham that much, what might other players be offered? Maybe not all players will jump ship in their prime but once they reach 30 and above, the offer might be too good to pass up.

yea i agreed, once people reached 30, sometimes they wouldn't be offered as much as offered to younger players. I really do hope soccer will be the next big thing in US.

Even though i had never watch a soccer game in my life, not even FIFA, but i still like to play soccer a lot too.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: sid_coz on August 09, 2007, 06:07:14 AM: I thought the topic is really apt...... coz thats what Beck did .... or atleast it seemed so. "Beckham Leaving It (all the games) - For L.A.".... thats what he really did. He has be in more games off the field than on since he has joined. The new sports gear is a suit & tie! And yes there was this 78th min entry, which was greeted as if the Holy Grail had been found. Pretty dumb i suppose.
But on the other side, in his final months with Real Madrid I think Becks has done more for the team than in all the time he spent with them. No wonder they were ready to have him back.
........not too sure of his American adventure though.
Title: Re: Beckham Leaving It - For L.A.
Post by: mumm-ra on August 25, 2007, 08:27:33 PM: He's going to get really tired - he's already being 'rested'