David Beckham made the right choice because he is old and needs to be remebered as a legend so the MLS league will make him look good. plus he might score a few goals with help from his new friend Landon Donovan

how in the world will a league with no credibility make Beckham look good? Am I the only one who sees this as almost like a scam? either the mls honchos are so naive that they think Beckham will turn the league into a gold mine or they think that the fans are so naive that they will pay big money for a european benchwarmer. either way all this Beckham talk is starting to make me sick. it's getting so bad already, that my girl was reading about beckham in her celebrity magazines. I've had enough. Yes ticket sales went up, but to acheive the status that baseball, basketball and american football have in the states is a long way off. Get Messi, Luca Toni or Ronaldinho then you can get excited. Never mind Beckham and his wife in the National Enquirer. Sorry about the rant, but he truly is making me sick. On the other hand, Bravo Beckham--$250 mil.

Giova, the reason those names you mentioned won't come is because of the level of competition and up until now, they didn't lash out the cash. If Beckham can start a flow of Recognizable soccer talent into MLS then maybe in 5 to ten years the league's competition will improve and attract top level players. It will take time but this is a good first step. What you don't realize is that all this exposure is good for soccer in this country. Outside of the World Cup, when has the American Media talked about soccer this much...never.

I understand what you're saying. It's been done before with Pele, Roberto Bettiga and many more during the NSL days. It didn't work. Don't spend $250 mil on a guy on the decline. Spend $300 mil on a young buck like Messi. That's what I'm saying. Bring true talent, not a farewell tour. It won't work. How long do you think this euphoria, if you want to call it that will last. Beckham is going to get his legs chopped off by those American players. They don't play the fluent European game, they play the rough in your face game. My friend, I don't mean to knock you but I do sense a bit of naivity on your part. I would pay to see Messi or Christiano even Luca Toni etc... but I wouldn't pay to see Beckham unless he was starring in a movie alongside Tom Cruise. I'm just giving you the point of view from a true knowledgeable football fan who follows the European and some South American leagues. Nuff said.

I'm being Naive? Being naive is thinking they can get Messi or Cristiano to come play in MLS when the level of competition sucks. If US own top players are leaving for higher caliber play, why would the top players from around the world come here? If these older players can elevate the level of play and attract people to the stadiums and more television coverage, the league makes money. Then you can pay players big money to come play. I will say, yet again, it can't be only Beckham. There needs to be others. Furthermore, I'm not the only one who feels this way. I listen to a daily soccer show, the hosts are extremely knowledgable. I am telling you what they are saying as well as many of the callers on the show. BTW, I have been watching TOP Caliber football for about twenty years, Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, and top international competitions.

If the names that are being thrown around do come here, such as Ronaldo, Figo even guys like Davids, Christian Vieri, or Robbie Fowler I would drive 4 hours to LA to watch these guys. I've been a fan of these guys for a long time. Those who have watched TOP caliber football for some time, know the credentials and pedigree these players bring. I was a big fan of that great Juventus team in the mid to late 90's with Davids & Vieri. Like I said, I would drive 4 hours to watch these guys play. But that's just me.

I think the real point to make here is that there must be a balance between bringing in good players that can raise the level of play without bankrupting the clubs and bringing in marquee names.

Beckham is a unique opportunity. He's a good (not great at this point) player that can still raise the level of the game and at 31 isn't quite over the hill yet. He should have a few more solid years in him. However, he his image and marketing cachet cannot realistically be matched by any other player. Even bringing in a Messi or C. Ronaldo would really only appeal to the knowledgeable football fans that we already have in this country rather than bring a lot of new, less aware fans, which is what the league really needs in order to gain popularity. For that reason alone, I think Beckham will ultimately work out positively for MLS, because a lot of that $250 Million will come from image rights and PR that will also benefit the club.

MLS clubs can't effectively structure the contracts the same way for any other big signings. So what really should happen is that Beckham be treated as a starting point and ambassador for the game. Use him and his image to help popularize the league. Maybe sign one or two more big name, but likely older players, but then begin using the remainder of the designated player slots to attract some younger talent (players that MLS previously didn't have the money or popularity to entice) that will raise the level of play, but will not bankrupt the clubs and league. Sign some talented, but not necessarily huge names. Bring in some $1-$5 Million signings where you pay the transfer fee, but the salary after that one time fee is not astronomical. Develop these guys, use them to raise the level of play in MLS, then get some good transfer fees for MLS when you move them on to top European clubs after a couple of years.

If you want to build the league you need the publicity but it needs the be a balance of the huge names with marketing value, and then just some good solid players that you now have the money to sign. That's really the way to properly use the designated player rule without repeating the downfall of the NASL.

Well said Heath.

It dont matter who MLS brings the league (so called league) still sucks!!!

By comparison to the top leagues like the EPL, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A, so do several other professional leagues in several other countries around the world. However, you have to start somewhere and continually take measures to improve. MLS is not a top league, but it's also only 11 years old. One has to look to the future...

Giova has brought up some good points. The old NASL was 100 times stronger as a league than the MLS. The NASL drew much larger crowds as well across the board. The overall level of play in the NASL was much better as well. What went wrong is the NASL was full of over the hill & past it European & South American stars demanding huge amounts of money from a league that really didn't have the cash in the first place. Cryuff was making a million a year & that was back in 1979 whic then was a hell of a lot of money & he said himself back then he was past it & still if you think about it he was a million times better of a player than Beckham could ever hope to be. My point is this league. The MLS is not at all as strong as the old MLS so history just might repeat it'self if the other teams try to follow suit & sign high profile, high dollar players. Also keep in mind that Beckham's future teamates in Los Angeles are already complaining about the money he stands to make so I think he's in for a bit of a rough ride. Either way Los Angeles is a place that chews famous people up & spits them out! Here today & gone tomorrow! Beckham has signed a contract. They expect him to produce. Regardless if he does or not the owners as well signed that contract & they have to pay him that 250 million dollars. All in all it's not going to cause me, or a lot of other people I know out here to buy tickets to go watch Beckham play. I'd much rather watch great games being played via- my dish from Europe.

Rasputin, my compliments.

Thanks Giova!

I kind of share the same thoughts you do about all this Beckham issue. I'm sick & tired about hearing about him to be quite honest so I'll do my best & try not to post anything more about him. What's bad about it is Beckham has not even landed in Los Angeles yet & there's already so much stupid hype going on as if he's going to change the face of American Soccer. I think not! Pele, Cryuff, Best & company tried that over 25 years ago & failed. Most people sad to say are like insects drawn to light & though I know very well the Beckham hype out here will increase this year it's bound to fade out like everything does. As long as I've been out here I've never been to a MLS game let alone watch one on tv & I sure as hell don't think I'll start now. Guess we should thank God we can see so many great games on tv from Europe!

u are cool

Thanks for the great info dog I owe you biggtiy.