It's not just paint. At Hofstra the lines are "stitched" into the field, so the only way to cover them up is to paint them green and then wash the green off the lines. The good news is that the turf was just replaced and the grid iron lines are now gone. The bad news is that the stadium the Cosmos will be playing in is only used by the college's men's and women's lacrosse teams, so the lacrosse lines are "stitched" in.
If Beckham's contract is up - he has the option to decline - are there any obscure MLS rules which would "technically" prevent Red Bulls from signing him? Do LA have any rights in that scenario? LA can't trade him if his contract is up. On the international market he'd be free to sign with whomever but MLS signs all contracts with players so technically his contract is with MLS, not LA Galaxy. Just confused and thinking out loud.
Been thinking about this too and similarly not plugged in to league rules in this situation but just posted this on the MetroFanatic site... ...it wouldn't even have to violate league rules (though no expert here). The guy is out of contract and whatever system MLS employs for reassigning players in this status it can be trumped by the player simply saying it's Red Bull or his team of preference or he goes to another country and league. Other clubs knowing this (including the Galaxy) simply don't exercise any rights they may have to claim/block the move. In other American sports this scenario may seem strange but in world soccer top players can often pick their clubs despite contracts. I have "ambitions". If Beckham has Red Bull "ambitions" the Galaxy won't stand in his way particularly if they have Lampard ready to fill his role.
Yeah the other guy already posted they were stitches.... Either way, still don't see how or why they can't replace this stuff with grass though and I'm sure Beckham and his $250 mil can afford to call Monsanto....
Well, Beckham does own property in Dubai. Still, unlikely. So much for Beckham becoming the (first?) player to win both - UEFA & CONCACAF Champions League.
Because the primary tenant for the stadium is Hofstra and the Cosmos will only be playing there for a few years. Unless the Cosmos are going to pay for the installation of the grass field and then the removal of the grass and installation of a turf field when they leave, I don't see why Hofstra would install a grass field.
In large parts of the world you could substitute MLS teams and fans would similarly see no need to even consider the proposition...
I would not mind to see Beckham going to NYRB. Him and Henry playing together can be very special. If he leaves for Australia, then I would scratch my head in wonderment.
Agreed. He, and the league starting to spend, went hand in hand - allowing MLS to grow exponentially. There's a lot of posters on these boards who have always been soccer fans, but not MLS fans until a few years back --> when the quality and coverage got so much better (but this isn't really being debated). I'm guessing Australia, and this is why: It's not about a contract for Beckham as much as it is about expanding his fanbase. Thats what brought him stateside when there was no reason to come stateside. He's establishing himself in markets that are growing or have the potential to grow (USA/Australia). Once he retires he'll still be well-known in these places and marketable (selling whatever he wants ..underwear). I don't think the Cosmos. I think he'd only go there if he could own, and wasn't there a stipulation in his 'Buy a MLS Club' part of the contract that stated he couldn't have part in an NY team? Otherwise it would be a possibility.;