SPORTS NOTES - DAVID BECKHAM'S DILEMMA

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

IS IT DO OR DIE? When Beckham agreed to a reported five year $250 million deal with the LA Galaxy of the MLS the football world almost came to a stop and wondered why he would do that as he was jeopardizing his career and reputation as a serious football player. It was pointed out by many football pundits that his decision was a mistake. We opined that Beckham had gone Hollyweird for the glitz and glamour of the phony plastic scene in the land of Angels and movie stars.

Monday March 2, 2009

IS IT DO OR DIE?

When you think about David Beckham's situation it brings to mind the song the Platters sang, 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' and that appears to be what happened to one of the worlds most renowned football/celebrity players with the smoke being money.

When Beckham agreed to a reported five year $250 million deal with the LA Galaxy of the MLS the football world almost came to a stop and wondered why he would do such a thing as he was jeopardizing his career and reputation as a serious football player. It was pointed out by many football pundits that his decision was a mistake.

We opined that Beckham had gone Hollyweird for the glitz and glamour of the phony plastic scene in the land of Angels and movie stars. It was expected that Beckham's arrival to the MLS would build interest in the sport in the USA. To some degree it did but it didn't create the results that were expected.

Injuries caused Beckham to miss many games and he was absent for more when he did his stints with the England national team. Since his move to the MLS his skills have diminished. He was in a situation where lesser skilled players in the MLS would target him for confrontations with some resulting in injuries by taking cheap shots. The scenario is somewhat reminiscent of how things were done in the old Wild, Wild West when there was always some young buck hot shot that wanted to prove that he was the top gun and challenged the individual who owned that title.

His productivity was not up to Beckham standards. In his first year with the club he arrived injured. He went on to register no goals and two assists as the Galaxy finished with a 9-14-7 record that was third-worst in the league. Last season, Beckham had five goals and 10 assists and the Galaxy's 8-13-9 record tied for the worst in MLS.

Beckham's loan to A.C. Milan was a blessing in disguise enabling Beck's to refurbish his skills and timing with more seasoned, accomplished players who where more harmonious with his ability. In part the move was to appease England manager Fabio Capello's appraisal that Beckham was not in top enough condition to participate with the English national team and would certainly not be in form enough to represent the country in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which Beckham has expressed is his greatest wish that he hopes will come true.

Playing at Milan with superstars such as KaKa and Ronaldinho certainly enhanced his chances of being prepared for World Cup and national team competition but…. there is no light at the end of that tunnel as AC Milan's offer of a reported $1.5 million to the Galaxy to keep the player wasn't enough according to Tim Leiweke, president of Galaxy parent AEG.

Milan felt that was a fair market value offer for a player who is aging and his career in decline. Leiweke informed Beckham's representatives the loan would not be made permanent. It was pointed out that the offer wouldn't cover the loss of sales in Beckham/MLS merchandise.

Beckham's five-year Galaxy contract is owned by MLS, and he is due in the team's training camp on March 9. Leiweke noted that the Galaxy's sponsors and season ticket holders were clamoring for a conclusion to the situation. The Galaxy's contracted partners wanted an end to the problem. The Galaxy open their MLS season at home March 22 against DC United. Will Beckham be there? Stay tuned…

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