New York is the best bet, I reckon, but wouldn't Miami be an intriguing possibility as well? If Chivas move to San Diego or Inland Empire, would MLS consider placing a 2nd team (Anaheim?) in Los Angeles proper. Or maybe one club in new NFL stadium and the 2nd at Carson?
I'd think, though, for the brand Beckham it would be huge for him to be an owner of a franchise in New York City. The revenue generated for brand Beckham would be an enormous offset the discount-less purchase price for his MLS franchise. He needs a schtick to keep his name in headlights after his career is over, and ownership in NYC would be an interesting one. Beckham hanging out with Jay-Z, etc. Another interesting idea: What if he took MLS up on this before the end of his 2 year contract, and played one season (the opening season) with the new franchise, his own franchise, in New York? I guess the Cosmos-to-NASL might have messed this up, but what if Beckham's people approach Cosmos group and get Cosmos into MLS for 2014 season? (Beckham's last). Having Beckham on board would seal the deal for a new stadium in Flushing, which would add huge value to the overall franchise value. Beckham playing for one season in New York- he could probably recruit some of his 'admirers'...older soccer, big named soccer players to join him on a discount for his final season. It would be the closest that the Cosmos would come to being the REAL COSMOS since 1980. I think with such a pushoff (first year) they might just generate the revenues to grow into the Cosmos name (along with steady stream of stars...which Red Bull seems to be darn good job of doing so far, btw) Beckham's swansong year would be big publicity on both sides of the pond. Beckham being player-owner would be huge news around the world too.
I hope it's San Diego with the strong TV ratings for MLS and diverse demographics, I think it could be a goldmine for the league and Becks could split the difference and move to OC.
That would make my life, lol. Chivas de Riverside? There are a lot of potential fans there, to be sure, but the IE is such a backward crapland that it would just be too funny. Moving to San Diego and rebranding is kind of my dream - they should try to reach out to anglo and hispanic fans alike; Cherundolo is from San Diego and would make a great first signing. They have a fanbase, but it's terrible marketing to limit yourself to one club (imagine a Kaiserslautern Cowboys nfl europe team - a ton of Americans around Kaiserslautern, but only Cowboys fans would become 'real fans').
If he's in NY he's really close to Europe. His team could fly there or vice versa. It would be a smart business connection. That said, he'll probably be beloved in Asia his whole life too.
Miami would be nice but lazy attendance. I would like to see the Atlanta Silver Backs in the MLS, so he should use it on them. But other good expansion territories would be New Mexico or Arizona. inb4 Oklahoma City or Baton Rouge Gators
It will be in a big city. I just don't see Beckham becoming an owner of a team in St. Louis or Minnesota(for example). I can definitely see a Miami/Florida team or a San Diego team
LA as in Louisiana? Or LA as in Los Angeles? If there is another Los Angeles team it should be called Los Angeles Band Wagoners or Los Angeles Cheeky Beckham's.
I'm of two minds here: 1. MLS is waiting on announcing the next expansion team (as in #21, not NYC2) until Beckham gets in with a group looking to buy, or 2. He could look into buying in to an existing franchise. SJ could use the additional investment, right? Or possibly taking a look at one of the teams owned by multi-team owners (such as FC Dallas/Columbus) and purchasing the franchise from them.
Because GEAUX TIGERS!!!! LSU fans hate Florida. If Beckham isn't allowed to start a team in LA or NY, I'd expect either Orange Co. or Florida, but who knows. I would think an east coast team, so it could very well be somewhere like Charleston or Baltimore.
Crawfish is singular and plural, but yeah maybe. It'd go over better than the Gators. I only went to LSU for grad school so I wouldn't mind the name Gators, but all those undergrads who hate Florida and probably don't follow soccer anyway might not go for it. Of course there's always the New Orleans Jesters, if Beckham wants to buy them!
sure. if you, too, are referring to the college rivalry that Skippy pointed out, i don't see how that is supposed to be some commonly known fact. i couldn't care less about college sports, so I would have no knowledge of anything like that. I was thinking the same way Lyon was.
Ideal would be if Beckham gets a controlling stake in Chivas, rebrands them and moves them to Miami, SanDiego or LasVegas.