The figures of the deal are mind numbing. The personality in question is galactic. The sport is the world’s favorite. The media is going over board. And a country is waking up to a new wave that’s about to hit them – David Beckham.
One of the world’s most popular athletes and probably the poster boy in Europe for many multi nationals has decided to spread the wings of Beckham and Football Inc. to the U.S. of A. what follows is a 5 year contract for a whopping $250 million. The figure should be terrorizing the likes of Kobe and Shaq.
With the news confirmed, it is official that David Robert Joseph Beckham, the 31 year old center mid fielder from London will be joining his new club in Los Angeles after playing out his contract with Real Madrid. With the contract set to expire on June 30, Beckham should be seen on the pitch in his new team Los Angeles Galaxy’s colors by August.
With the deal signed for $250 million, it means Becks pockets about $50 m per annum, a figure matched only by Tiger Woods in the U.S. The Americans are already ruing at their jobs been outsourced, now foreign athletes come and get better deals than them. Kobe, A-Rod are going to be seeing many more shades of green, other than the ones on the bills.
Also, the fact that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are Becks and Posh’s best friends endorsements and other paths to make money will always be open. With Creative Artists Agency representing the soccer superstar, making or rather minting money should not be a very big problem. According to a report Beckham made about $27 million when he was Real Madrid, and now he is aiming to double that figure. Well he has the resources and the contacts in the U.S. to help him reach that figure.
The club also hopes that he will help get the people back in the stadium and increase their earnings. Their research has pointed that Beckham has a lot of female fan following and is one of the most talked about males in women chat forums. So they are pinning their hopes on that front too. Beckham's name was searched for on Google more than that of any other sporting personality in 2003 and 2004.
Beckham will also hope he can put forth the right image and market his aftershave : David Beckham Instinct in the right manner. Beckham hopes to take the sport in the U.S. to a higher level, he knows he cannot compete with the established forts of the NBA, NFL and Baseball, but he is taking this up as a challenge mission to increase the respect and fan following of soccer in the country.
The ball has already started rolling with fans vying for tickets of the Galaxy team, even before the schedule has been issued. After all they are all willing to see Major League Soccer’s most expensive player. They have the right to see what makes him worth it. Is it his tattoos or the trademark curling kick.
Becks has a lot to prove on the pitch with his talent and off the pitch, by gaining acceptance in a new country. Los Angeles has been warming up to David for the past few years but now is their chance to get really close and personal with the superstar. Let’s see if Real Madrid’s No. 23 can change the stars of the Galaxy.
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