2010 Major League Soccer thread [R]-90% Fitz and Ben

Discussion in 'General Football & Other Sport' started by Fitz, Dec 3, 2009.

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  1. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    If you have a last name, I will get a Galaxy shirt with it on the back.
     
  2. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Tottenham Hotspurs Manager says loan deal is off because of insurance issues, but Beckham maybe will be training with them for a month.

    MLS/AEG/Galaxy looks to have come to their senses, demanding insurance and therefor earned us "wins" in this round...

    Now lets see if Brand Beckham wants to cover the insurance themselves or even buy out his final contract year, but thus also voiding his MLS franchise buy/buy into option...

    If he completes the contract, which it looks increasingly difficult for Beckham to do, he will get the opportunity to buy an MLS franchise at 2007 prices (think $15-20 million) rather than the current values ($25-40 million). It's too much money to turn down, even if he simply resold the stake and left for England then. I didn't understand that clause at the time, but now it makes perfect sense...
     
  3. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    So when does his contract actually expire?
     
  4. PotGuy

    PotGuy Forum Fetishist

    Blimey I didn't know he had that clause in in contract. What franchises could he buy?
     
  5. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    UEA, I believe it will end at the end of this upcoming season, which starts in March and runs through to November.

    Potguy, I don't believe it is specified, but the assumption has always been that he would get a new franchise somewhere. The thought process being current owners of a franchise could not be legally required to sell to someone specific for any preset price. that would be a bit like someone telling you you had to sell your house to Beckham for 2007 prices.

    I suppose it is possible that the league could buy back a franchise and sell it at a loss to Beckham, but I don't think that's what they had in mind when they agreed to the contract clause. I am sure they meant to expand MLS' reach, not shuffle it around.
     
  6. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    With the MLS bringing in new franchises in recent years such as the Canadian ones, Portland etc, have they tried to cover all the potential market 'soccer' areas before Mr Beckham has the chance to set one up then? There can't be that many other areas that would be interested would there? I know Florida have tried and failed (aren't they giving it another go next season?) and there is potentially Cosmos in NY but football is still such a minority in areas of America, it would not make financial sense for Beckham unless he would go in partnership with say a club like Spurs, looking to expand their global profile?
     
  7. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    There are a few soccer strong markets underrepresented, but your point is made, most are filled in now.

    The notable areas of opportunity start with St. Louis, who very nearly were added for next year as St Louis Athletica but got bumped by Portland and Vancouver, and Montreal the year after.

    The entire south (outside of heavily hispanic Texas) is in need of development, but at this point there is so much competition by NCAA football and baseball and NFL football and NASCAR there. Someone needs to come up with a plan that works in the south and I doubt Simon Fuller, David Beckham and 19 are the people to do it. Atlanta has had a very successful minor league team (on the pitch), that can't seem to stay in business...not a good sign.

    Florida is an untapped market, but there have been many failures as you noted. Personally, I think you need to build two franchises, one in Tampa and one across the state in Orlando/Jacksonville/Miami a relatively short drive away to build an instant rivalry..that's the key to succeeding there in Florida, just my opinion. I can see Beckham getting one of those teams.

    I don't believe in the presumed success of second MLS teams in big cities like LA and NY. The 2nd team in LA is an abortion so it is tough to use that as a yardstick, but frankly I don't think there is enough interest in soccer to drive a second team in any US city. Maybe a Manhattan based NY team would be an improvement, as RBNY is actually in New Jersey, but building a new soccer specific stadium in NYC seems a ridiculous pipedream. On the other hand, AEG (Galaxy's owner and Beckham's partner in LA) is very adept at building new facilities in metro areas, like the O2 Arena in London and Staples Center in downtown LA, and literally hundreds of other places worldwide. Anyway, the prevailing wisdom is that Beckham is not being considered for involvement in the NY Cosmos project.

    There are some minor markets with rich US Soccer history remaining like Rochester NY, Charleston SC, and some others I can't recall, but I just don't see Beckham planting his banner there no matter how the grassroots market is there.

    As for the partnership idea, it seems like it would be a no brainer at least for technical support and team building, etc. Crystal Palace has the most successful US operation in Baltimore, and it basically just your run of the mill average 3rd division type US team. However, the only time that has been tried in MLS is with Chivas USA, and it is a total failure in nearly every aspect. The US league's arcane salary cap and drafting procedures are counterintuitive to foreign league's operators who are accustomed to either building Academies or buying players. Look at how confused Ruud Gullit was here... It doesn't mean it can't work, just that it hasn't yet. Red Bull seems like they could be doing it, but they really don't have any synergy between the organizations, save money.
     
  8. fan

    fan slow toaster

    beckham!
     
  9. fan

    fan slow toaster

    maybe he's holding out for a Nunavut or Northern Territory franchise in the hope it will supply him with the petro-dollars necessary to get a seat on fifa? he's a notoriously big thinker afterall
     
  10. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    How lucky! It seems I can get ones with that name for 60% off at Ross or Marshalls now.
     
  11. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    Cheers for the reply Fitz, like I thought, Nascar in the south makes that area pretty much impossible and I am sure a franchise there wouldn't flourish. He would be silly not to take up the franchise offer in his contract but it does seem opportunities are limited and that Florida, where MLS has failed before may be the option, especially if a rival is founded as well. Miami v Tampa Bay?
     
  12. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Exactly...the rivalry games are the best attended in MLS.

    News came out today that Cobi Jones, longtime Galaxy midfielder and current asst coach, has departed to join the NY Cosmos organization. It has spurred more speculation that Becks will be involved there soon enough. Interesting.
     
  13. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

  14. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    http://www.bnd.com/2011/01/12/1547776/lakers-odom-is-ready-now-to-be.html#ixzz1Ar6Znc31
    Some choice quotes...
     
  15. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist

    Not MLS related but been a good transfer window for Americans so far. Jozy found a loan to Turkey, MB90 off to Aston Villa, even Freddie found a team abit a second division one is Turkey, and the orginal over rated American Eddie Johnson has loan offers
     
  16. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

  17. Prentice

    Prentice Administrator

  18. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Check back in when he starts to play...
    There is a reason the Galaxy tossed him.

    Bob Bradley used him in the World Cup as a distraction to the obvious threat of Jozy Altidore. What an awful World Cup this was for us..!
     
  19. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

  20. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist

    Carlos Ruiz back to the MLS with the union.. wooo?
     
  21. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    He was 3 day old fish the last time he came back...now he's 4 day old fish.
     
  22. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

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