aussie article I posted elsewhere, but in same vein http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/13/1055220746103.html
Still, while mean-spirited, the stories are essentially correct. Except among Bigsoccer fanatics and foreign visitors or residents, these people mean very, very little over here. While some may cry that this is ridiculous, I'd frankly be more happy if Clint Mathis or Landon Donavan were mugged on the streets of New York. I'm not sure why it's assumed that they way that we're going to fall in love with the great game is to make a pact w/ the Man. U devil and worship its stars like the next Derek Jeter. If we are going to freak over someone, shouldn't it be Ronaldo, Zidane, or one of the 4 or 5 best players in the world, of which DB clearly isn't? Even aside from just Beckham, is there some reason why we should freak out over Posh? Would we freak out over Ryan Giggs' wife? Would we freak out over Cobi's or Clint's significant others (who are a lot hotter than Posh by the way)? Do we freak out over Jason Kidd and his wife? The Beckhams are celebrities over there...they will probably NEVER be celebrities over here, and why SHOULD they be? Because he's one of the 4 or 5 best players on the most popular team in the world and she's a member of a girl group that had 1 big hit album almost a decade ago? Frankly, they do look a bit stupid coming over here if you think about it. Why do they need to go on this vague "self promotion" tour. Who CARES? Hey, Freddy Adu's coming. We will worship the beautiful game soon and have a media darling
Why anyone should even care what an idiot at a rag like the New York Post writes about Beckham. He has his head in the sand as he knows nothing of the game in America. What about MLS? The great run of the US team at the last World Cup? Played largely by girls? Please. Do not take this person seriously. He has suceeded in hitting a note in fans both side of the pond. He has gotten us riled up. So, like Jim Rome, pay this heathen no mind.
There are legions of ManU fans in this country. Their numbers I would think rival that of the whole MLS. AND the Spice girls were the hottest things going even here in the states a few years ago. So I'd say they are very popular especially with the film doing very well despite not being shown in many theaters.
It's much more about with whom you are and are not popular than with how many people you are poplular. Or in this case, I think known, and not popular, is the correct word.
Here's the actual NY Post article - which barely mentions Beckham. It's seems to focus more on wanna-be celebrities, and points out how hard Victoria is trying. Doesn't really bash soccer at all. Victoria, though, gets it. http://www.nypost.com/living/965.htm
I don't like it as much as anybody when soccer gets the stiff end or anything in this country, but factualy speaking, isn't soccer played mostly by girls in this country? I'm not saying a large percent isn't male, but don't females make up the majority of players? If so that statement is not wrong. Just wondering.
Comparing the NY post article to the Sky article - it seems like Sky added a whole heck of a lot. The Post article doesn't even mention soccer, let alone state whether or not mostly girls play the game. And no, even though it's the number one sport for girls in the USA, more guys play, according the AYSO (youth soccer) statistics. In the adult leagues, the discrepancy (more guys) is even greater.
Please. I live in LA, where celebrities wander around like regular people all the time. Except for special occasions, they don't have bodyguards and a big entourage like Posh and Becks. They definitely don't ask stores to shut down for them. Generally, the LA public responds the same way, ignoring celebrities because we figure they want to left alone. Tourists are the only ones who stare.
this doesn't tell you the percents but i thought it had some interesting info. http://www.satglobal.com/marketing_partnerships.htm
Here you go, from the AYSO site: Since its establishment, AYSO has continued to grow and offer its membership relevant programs. In 1971, two San Fernando Valley residents developed AYSO's first girls program. Today, a corporate sponsor has joined with AYSO as the organization's first official sponsor of its national girl's initiative. Currently, 40 percent of AYSO's players are girls. http://www.soccer.org/about/history.html 40 percent is not a majority, so the "largely by girls" is fiction. Incidently, Americans would usually say "mostly by girls" so i'm betting that SKY news added that all on its own - both to inacurately bash US soccer, and to make it seem like Americans hate Beckham. Look at the Post article again. It's really only slagging Victoria.
ok, i finally found something, this states that there are 3million actually registered players in the usa and it has a 55/45 male:female ratio. So when people say there are 17million soccer players in the us, are those just people who pick up a ball every once in a while? http://www.tpgsports.com/soccer/edit_mission.htm
I'm assuming those are the three million specifically registered to that organization. US Youth Soccer differs from AYSO - American Youth Soccer Organization. One main difference is AYSO's philosophy that all the kids on a team play at least a half. US Youth Soccer coaches have more latitude, I believe.
Wasn't there a plan of kidnapping Posh and kids last year. Since then, the family has always had security with them wherever they go.
After the English tabloids' response to Tim Howard, I hardly think they should be throwing stones at something in a US tabloid not nearly as offensive. Glass houses and all that. Getting swideswiped by a New York Post entertainment columnist is actually _good_ for their celebrity here as it means they're important enough to get worked over by people who have worked over "a-list" celebrities ad nauseum. They're now no less important than Paris Hilton or Robert Downey Jr.
We can safely expect a total contrast to that reaction when he heads over for his Asian tour next week. Scarily, he's the number one icon in Japan right now, even above their J-Pop idols. Still, having hordes of Japanese women hunting you down can't be too bad.