Beckham and Milan II

Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2009/02/question_of_david_beckham_leav.html

MOD NOTE - discussion continued from here

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Please. Does this guy know anything about sports? Contracts get waived, rescinded, renegotiated, and cancelled all the time. We're not in la-la land here, no pun intended.

The league won't lose two seconds of sleep over it. The American media will largely ignore the whole thing, LA will spend a big pot of money and probably get better with more balance, more South Americans are going to continue to look to MLS as a viable career alternative, and aging Europeans are going to continue to want to come have an American swan song. The league will recover from the "embarrassment" in approximately a day.

We ARE a minor-league outfit. Relatively speaking. It's OK. But kowtowing? No, we just make business decisions that make sense for all parties involved.

No it won't. Don't be ridiculous. What a Chicken Little.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Why would it be? beckhams soccer career will be LONG over by 2018 or 2022.


And he is transfering to AC MILAN which MLS will get a decent transfer if the move is made....


Beckham is yesterdays news going to play for the retirement team of Italy AC MILAN who employee 40 year old Paolo maldini, and 36 year old Clarence seedorff..

If he stays GREAT for MLS if he goes we will surivive.... Galaxy can always get another NAME DP.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Do be fair, there IS no other "name DP" like Beckham, especially as far as American awareness goes. Are there better players on the field that the Galaxy can get? Of course. But for name brand awareness and recognition, there is no one in Beckham's league (figuratively speaking).

But it's OK. We'll still recover pretty easily. If anyone thinks "recovering" is even the word to use.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

MLS has name awareness but its for the Hispanic market.
Blanco
Barros Schelotto
Gallardo (now gone)

These were all very well known names amongst the hispanic media and market.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

It is going to cause a bunch of complications with contracts that were negotiated by LAG and MLS on the expectation that Beckham would be in the league... Herbalife will only be the first of the companies (which, if the economy is bad enough, could include national sponsors and broadcast partners)... it would be a convenient excuse to get out of contracts, or to realize savings in a bad economic climate... whatever fee he goes for has to take this into account... I doubt that $15 million (which would be a ridiculous fee for Milan to pay) would cover it...

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

This is completely Beckham's decision.

He has that power.

But any "image hit" or "credibility loss" (of which there likely won't be much) will be felt by Brand Beckham, and not by MLS/AEG.

MLS/AEG will be fine, looking like an organization that was operating in the best interest of the player, even willing to negotiate for Beckham's release, if that's what he demands.

MLS/AEG can hold the line for now that the want to honor the current contract, and when they do allow Beckham to leave (if indeed that is what Beckham truly wants), then MLS/AEG will come out of this looking no worse for wear, imo.

We have to see how strong Beckham (and his people) are willing to push this, and if/when AEG/MLS might really accept that new reality.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

note -- I see no reason why this thread couldn't perhaps be merged with the ongoing AC Milan and Beckham discussion:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=909703

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

I think it's so small it has almost no impact on him. Brand Beckham is global, and that audience -- the consumers who buy the products he endorses -- would probably prefer to see him at AC Milan anyway. They won't care much about the rest.

As for the amount of the transfer fee, Beckham can actually self fund much, if not all of it depending on the image rights split he agrees to with AC Milan. If his endorsements distinct from MLS represent $30 million of his nearly $50 million income last year, split 50/50 that's $15 million right there, plus whatever growth occurs. Whatever the split is, I do think AC Milan can recapture a lot of it very quickly.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Well, that depends on the circumstances of the departure. If the Galaxy just let him cut and run, then yes, it would be embarrassing, but I doubt that that would happen.

If Milan come across with the currently rumored GBP14M transfer fee, after having their original 4.5M offer rejected, then it is by no means embarrassing, since the Galaxy will have stared down one of the biggest, richest clubs in the world and, when all is said and done and added up, made a handsome profit on Beckham.

Furthermore, MLS would be able to hold him up as an example of a player who came here from Europe and NOT had his skills deteriorate to the point that he was no longer suitable for top-level Euro club football. If anything, that perception would go a long way toward convincing players in Europe that MLS is not just a place where they cash in at the end of their career, but a viable (albeit, less lucrative) option.

I don't think that the mainstream American sports media would completely ignore the whole thing. They tend to completely ignore the good stuff, but LOVE to report the bad stuff. Don't doubt for a moment that you won't see the worst possible spin in their reporting of Beckham's departure, which will take nothing but their derision for MLS into account, and dismiss out of hand the points that I just made.

In fact, if he does go permanently (i.e., not just extend his loan to the end of Milan's current season), I'll bet good money that there will be at least one use of the phrase, "...couldn't get out of MLS fast enough" in the national sports media, even though anyone who has followed this saga even a little bit to this point knows what a lie that is.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Yeah a team full of has beens that just happens to be 2nd in Italy, and a perenniel contender in whatever European competition they happen to be in.

Get real. AC Milan is one of the top clubs in the world. Hardly a "retirement" destination for players that don't have the chops for "real" football anymore.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

I'm not sure there will be any such hit. And on balance, playing for AC Milan as opposed the Galaxy will surely result in a net plus for Brand Beckham. He's back playing soccer on people's TVs now, which he really wasn't to a signifcant extent when he was playing for the Galaxy.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

absolutely, from a purely soccer perspective, it is a brilliant move for Beckham (if he indeeds decides to and does agree to a full transfer to AC Milan).

but to the Brand and image that is Beckham, it would go against his standard tone of "I'm a respectful chap" and "I like to and always do honor my contracts."

no, to him, it is not a big deal at the end of the day, because ties severed (potentially) in the US don't really affect his marketability and success as Brand Beckham in Italy/Europe/globally.

from a soccer-playing side of the argument, it is completely understandable that he'd want to be with Milan for as long as possible. (he could have made that decision in summer 2007, but opted for the money and marketing options that were available in LA via MLS/AEG).

it's a complicated business and contractual situation Beckham has gotten himself into (and if his soccer desires are going to drive his decision at this point), then I'm sure something will be worked out to keep all parties as content as possible.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Don't mean a thing unless they bring season tickets or multi-game packages.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

a fair point.

but i do think you're holding players to an unachievable "Beckham standard."

There was every only going to be one DP who could bring league-wide positive affects (like season tickets or multi-game packages sold). imo, I think most owners and those involved with the league realize that all DPs (save Beckham) will likely/hopefully be local-market successes. expecting them to have real, league-wide ramifications (like Brand Beckham was able to do) doesn't seem like a business reality, and I think those in MLS now know that.

I think MLS realizes it has the guy and has had him under contract and playing in LA for the last 18 months (with a few months off for some European adventures).

there's no other player (on his own) that can do for MLS league-wide what Beckham's done. he's a phenomenon, and MLS was lucky to be able to get him to be their partner for a while.

expecting some other player to ever arrive and do what Beckham has done for all of MLS (from a marketing, jersey/ticket sales, and recognition standpoint) seems like an impossible dream to me.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

We're in agreement. There's only one Beckham.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Actually Blanco brings in a great deal of walk up business. Which is better than a season ticket because its typically at FULL PRICE vs the discounted fare that is a season ticket.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

absolutely, there are different standards that each player (and each DP specifically) can and should be held to. as they will each have their own level of success (in terms of some business reality).

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

although, i'm sure MLS would love to get some/all of his sons involved in an LA-area MLS academy team at some point.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Unfortunately Blanco's walk-up crowd is great for GA ticket sales which are the cheapest tickets in the house. Beckham sells luxury boxes worth so much more and brings in endorsements Blanco's people could never dream of. Teams around the world aren't clamoring for lucrative friendlies all year long for Blanco. Milan and Becks are playing Rangers in Scotland this week because of the cash. Most of the 300 million Americans have no idea who Blanco is. Every American knows who Beckham is. Milan's TV audience last weekend was over 1M viewers greater than the next highest game's numbers. Blanco could go to Italy and not get noticed by a cab driver. The global financial reach of Beckham's brand is unparalleled in soccer. No amount of FULL PRICE walk-up tickets are going to make a damn bit of difference in this league.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

So then Blanco, being the second highest away attraction in the league means nothing? Of course, all those Mexicans that go watch him play only buy cheap seats. I'm sure.

I'm not going to negate Beckham's star power, to do so would be stupid, but Blanco has a very strong presence amongst Mexicans. His endorsements are all Hispanic based.

Because the Scottish are so enamored with the English! lol Please.

All the spanish people know who Blanco is.

If you dont get numbers with KAKA, RONALDINHO, PATO, BECKHAM, SEEDORF ETC ETC, then Berlusconi better pack it in and look for another business!

You are kidding right? I'm not Mexican but as a soccer fan, as I'm sure there are many in Italy, but he would be recognized. Let's not go overboard.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Beckham leaving is not a cause for concern.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

Is Beckham not leaving a cause for concern?

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

My point simply put is that Brand Beckham and Blanco aren't in the same galaxy, financially speaking.

Re: Question of David Beckham leaving MLS is cause for concern

If he stays, cool. The I/Os will get to make more bank, etc.

If he leaves, no big whoop. It'll mean LA will have a better chance in making the MLS playoffs. I think the LA fans will like that part, methinks.