Well, we know he's coming for the money, but he says it's to bring the popularity of soccer to the US. Either way, I'd love to see popularity pick up and the US get better at soccer as a result. And I certainly wouldn't mind seeing soccer take some money out of the NBA or NFL's caste pockets.
Beckham US bound
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Solomon Kane
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Becks is a definite international white superstar, and most of the US's college soccer stars are white. Also, many college prospects come out of majority-white prep-schools and High Schools. It would be great if the notion of soccer as a "white man's game" arose in the national consciousness. This would annoy Bryant Gumbel greatly.
Remember the last great experiment to boost soccer's popularity involved the most famous black superstar (Pele). This time it will involve the most famous white superstar.
Here's hoping that he sets the MLS on fire.
Oh yeah, and his wife Posh ain't bad either
Lets see...A white superstar with his beautiful white wife and beautiful white kids in beautiful once-white LA. Well three out of four ain't bad.
Remember the last great experiment to boost soccer's popularity involved the most famous black superstar (Pele). This time it will involve the most famous white superstar.
Here's hoping that he sets the MLS on fire.
Oh yeah, and his wife Posh ain't bad either
Lets see...A white superstar with his beautiful white wife and beautiful white kids in beautiful once-white LA. Well three out of four ain't bad.
white is right
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Problem with soccer is that only ethnic people care for the game(besides hippy types). They tend to be recent immigrants from Latin America. Really latinos aren't the best demographics for a league that wants to grow. I suppose he could be an anglo version of Oscar Delahoya and could get high school girls and college girls "passions aroused"...
Edited by: white is right
white is right said:Problem with soccer is that only ethnic people care for the game(besides hippy types). They tend to be recent immigrants from Latin America. Really latinos aren't the best demographics for a league that wants to grow. I suppose he could be an anglo version of Oscar Delahoya and could get high school girls and college girls "passions aroused"...
I'm going to need to agree with part of that. I played soccer last year in the middle of almost all white South Dakota, yet half the team was Latino from the Guadalhara resturant. In saying that, the all-white high school team won state. The main problem with soccer in America is the lack of money and coverage. There are dozens of white players in a small state like South Dakota who would be good enough to play for the MLS, but the opportunity and funding just isn't there. Instead we'll see the MLS advertise for players in Mexico.
Another coup for Anschutz (who owns 5 mls teams, pretty much controls the league, very high concept in terms of how he wants the league to progress, is Christian, also owns the most movie theaters in U.S.).
The L.A. Kings did the same with Gretsky. The Kings are still a hot ticket for people with money who want a break from turd world ambiance. Positioned NHL as upscale sport in major media market. The gross viewer numbers are lousy but the income demographics are attractive.
MLS plans more international superstar acquisitions and to loan players between major teams in other leagues.
The idea, I think, is to avoid soccer becoming a latin ghetto sport, but instead a suburban 'classy' sport with a cast that is both international and local. It can only help that the major sports are dedicated to 'diversity' and 'street cred'.
The last thing soccer should do is think like Republicans, see the growth in Hispanic numbers, and imagine this constitutes a market worth pursuing by having lots of latin players. Hispanic themed nights.
One problem is (like in baseball) there are few world class Mexican players. Further, the best latin players are white or black, not Mestizo or Indian (which to the Mexican mind means they're not really Mexican).
MLS has the chance to have a player demographic that matches the the most attractive fan base, college-educated, white, middle and upper-middle class.
Anschutz gets this, Selig never will.
The L.A. Kings did the same with Gretsky. The Kings are still a hot ticket for people with money who want a break from turd world ambiance. Positioned NHL as upscale sport in major media market. The gross viewer numbers are lousy but the income demographics are attractive.
MLS plans more international superstar acquisitions and to loan players between major teams in other leagues.
The idea, I think, is to avoid soccer becoming a latin ghetto sport, but instead a suburban 'classy' sport with a cast that is both international and local. It can only help that the major sports are dedicated to 'diversity' and 'street cred'.
The last thing soccer should do is think like Republicans, see the growth in Hispanic numbers, and imagine this constitutes a market worth pursuing by having lots of latin players. Hispanic themed nights.
One problem is (like in baseball) there are few world class Mexican players. Further, the best latin players are white or black, not Mestizo or Indian (which to the Mexican mind means they're not really Mexican).
MLS has the chance to have a player demographic that matches the the most attractive fan base, college-educated, white, middle and upper-middle class.
Anschutz gets this, Selig never will.
Solomon Kane
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"The idea, I think, is to avoid soccer becoming a latin ghetto sport, but instead a suburban 'classy' sport with a cast that is both international and local. It can only help that the major sports are dedicated to 'diversity' and 'street cred'.
The last thing soccer should do is think like Republicans, see the growth in Hispanic numbers, and imagine this constitutes a market worth pursuing by having lots of latin players. Hispanic themed nights.
One problem is (like in baseball) there are few world class Mexican players. Further, the best latin players are white or black, not Mestizo or Indian (which to the Mexican mind means they're not really Mexican).
MLS has the chance to have a player demographic that matches the the most attractive fan base, college-educated, white, middle and upper-middle class.
Anschutz gets this, Selig never will.[/QUOTE] "
Great post, Charlie--the last two paragraphs saying it all.
Here's hoping we can make soccer in America a mostly white suburban sport.
BTW, Becks just got injured. Let's hope he recovers in time for the opening of the MLS season.
The last thing soccer should do is think like Republicans, see the growth in Hispanic numbers, and imagine this constitutes a market worth pursuing by having lots of latin players. Hispanic themed nights.
One problem is (like in baseball) there are few world class Mexican players. Further, the best latin players are white or black, not Mestizo or Indian (which to the Mexican mind means they're not really Mexican).
MLS has the chance to have a player demographic that matches the the most attractive fan base, college-educated, white, middle and upper-middle class.
Anschutz gets this, Selig never will.[/QUOTE] "
Great post, Charlie--the last two paragraphs saying it all.
Here's hoping we can make soccer in America a mostly white suburban sport.
BTW, Becks just got injured. Let's hope he recovers in time for the opening of the MLS season.
David Beckham just injured his knee over in Europe and he will be out for six weeks. Should be ok in time for the MSL season which starts around August. I hope he plays up to expectations for the Galaxy because this is a sport I have wanted to see grow in popularity for a long time. I have wanted to see it for patriotic reasons and because of all the talented white players on the United States national team. Players like Landon Donavan, Clint Dempsey, Kenny Cooper, Jimmy Conrad, etc... Our youth needs to see some white stars on a white dominated sport to feel better about themselves and their own abilities.
Seems that Beckham will end his playing career in the second best league in America. Does anybody on the board follow MLS closely enough to explain their losses to USL teams? Do they just not give a crap about this competition?
http://www.usopencup.com/home/193445.html
http://www.usopencup.com/home/193445.html
Solomon Kane
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surfsider said:
I confess I don't follow MLS closely. I basically watch the playoffs, but will watch the Galaxy games to see how Beckham does.
Interesting...I didn't know there was another soccer league.
Well, at least the MLS all-stars beat Celtic last night. They have a good record in this competition, anyway, having beat Fulham, Chelsea, Celtic, and some Mexican squad.
Of course, maybe these teams were only playing their second team against MLS.
Beckham makes his debut tomorrow, it will be televised. Hope he and Donovan score goals.