Great Soccer: Not Playing in a Stadium Near You

David Beckham is officially a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. He’s also the newest and most respected spokesman for Major League Soccer, the American equivalent of the world’s game. There’s just one problem — he’s no longer relevant enough for anyone outside of the already endangered-species-like community of futbol enthusiasts to care, making the potential $250 million deal perhaps the worst investment ever.

It’s not uncommon for a fledgling league to pursue a national or international star to bolster its appeal or notoriety among avid sports enthusiasts. The American Football League sought the highly touted Herschel Walker to affirm its presence, while sports like NASCAR and Major League Baseball have turned to established international prospects to substantiate their position as the most dominant leagues within their respective sports. However, the MLS has not only failed to pluck the most notable and respected international futbol player, they’ve chosen the one who has been criticized as “Americanizing” the game too much already, and having corrupted the fundamental integrity and traditional fiber of the sport Pele made famous.

The 32-year-old Beckham struggled to make his native country’s (England) World Cup team during the most recent tournament in 2006, fails to rank in the top five of most experts’ rankings of his position, and was even rumored to be a tough sell to make a top ten list by most analysts.

International players such as Brazil’s attacker Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, or Madrid’s striker, Raul Gonzalez Blanco possess the talent level and skill set to create a buzz among futbol’s fanatics, but the MLS and the L.A. Galaxy declined to pursue substance and quality, instead going for glitz and glamor in Beckham – an individual that has yet to score 20 career goals.

Why’d they do it?

Perhaps the answer resides in the national media craze Beckham created with his announcement and arrival on American shores as the “savior” of soccer.

Perhaps it’s the A-list celebrities like Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith or Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes that graced the red carpet at Beckham’s welcoming party; making it resemble a typical silver-screen blockbuster premiere.

Perhaps the MLS realized that the star power of Beckham – as well as his wife Victoria, the former international pop-star member of the Spice Girls – offers an appeal and enticement to a demographic that isn’t necessarily concerned with the on-field abilities of the English midfielder, but the exact opposite. Whatever the reason for the contract that dwarfs those given to both Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Garnett for their record-breaking deals, the MLS, L.A. Galaxy and especially Beckham have a responsibility to their waiting and dwindling fan base. That responsibility is a quality product; and unfortunately that movie isn’t coming to a theater or stadium near them anytime soon, thanks to Beckham being the leading man rather than a more qualified talent.