Has David Beckham outlived his usefulness in America? The L.A. Galaxy’s season is over so there’s not necessarily a need for him here, so Becks has been “loaned” to European club AC Milan for what is thought to be at least two months.
It’s one of those odd quirks of soccer, which allows players to be sent elsewhere for a rental fee, sometimes within the same league during the same season. MLS still seems to be banking on Beckham’s marketability in America, but there’s no doubt that his appearances in league games lost a little luster this season. It certainly doesn’t help that his team sucks. But it may not be a great sign that he’s already heading back to Europe, and that the Galaxy and MLS find it perhaps necessary to rent him out to help offset his ridiculous salary.
Beckham has such outrageous pull with the MLS that the league is considering his personal schedule when figuring out when to begin the 2009 season. The LA TIMES said that Beckham initiated the transfer so that he could be in Europe to play for England’s national team in the spring, and MLS may delay it’s opening to make sure he’s back:
The Galaxy’s 2009 schedule has yet to be released because MLS will not decide until next month on whether to start the season earlier. A league spokesman said Thursday that it would start “sometime between March 14 and 28.”
Beckham initiated the loan move because he wants to extend his England national team career, and England has a friendly game against Slovakia in London on March 28, three days before it plays a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on April 1, also at Wembley.
The Galaxy are also dealing with the potential departure of star Landon Donovan, who is reportedly wanting out of the MLS so he can go play in Europe.
Beckham may have bigger issues to deal with, though. It seems as though he’s been caught (gasp!) staring at cheerleaders again at the Lakers’ season opener.
(Becks ogling Laker Girls? The SUN DAILY MAIL is there.)
That dirty rag THE INDIA TIMES has the scandalous details:
“David had the best seat in the house,” the Sun quoted an onlooker as saying.
“All the girls were hot. However there appeared to be one sexy brunette who particularly caught his eye. She was gorgeous and had curves in all the right places,” the onlooker added.
I’m outraged that a married man is so blatantly eyeing cheerleaders. How disrespectful to Posh Spice. Now, you’ll have to excuse me. My wife and I are heading to Hooters for lunch.
11:18 am on October 31st, 2008
But he's done so much to skyrocket MLS's fame in the U.S.
11:24 am on October 31st, 2008
I think pro soccer in America has run its course, too.
11:36 am on October 31st, 2008
Becks definitely drew some attention to MLS during his stay here. Otherwise all MLS highlights would have been regulated to Sportscenter's 'ESPN Deportes' updates.
11:44 am on October 31st, 2008
This doesn't mean Victoria Beckham has to leave, too, does it? My life will never be the same.
12:05 pm on October 31st, 2008
1. Galaxy and MLS did not want to loan Beckham. They don't get a fee for it. Beckham orchestrated it himself. He wanted to keep playing to stay in shape during the winter. It would be like a baseball player playing winterball in the Dominican.Teams don't loan players to get money. They generally loan young players to lesser clubs to get experience. Sometimes the lesser club, if they really want a player, will contribute some of his salary.2. He already offset his "ridiculous" salary. He makes $6.5 million per season. LA Galaxy profits have gone up 700% since he got there.But, it's only soccer. It's not like it's a real professional sport or anything. Why stick to facts or research when you can slap up a picture of him staring at Cheerleaders and call it a day?
12:29 pm on October 31st, 2008
Who?
12:57 pm on October 31st, 2008
Those aren't just cheerleaders, they're Laker Girls. Get your own facts straight.
1:26 pm on October 31st, 2008
You did not state your opinion on the matter. You obviously have a man crush on David Beckham.