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Beckham deal another milestone for MLS says official
2007-01-12
David Beckham's move to the Los Angeles Galaxy will provide Major League Soccer with a much-needed shot of publicity, and a boost in attendances. But MLS officials remain focused on steady, sustained growth for the league and the sport in the U.S and Canada. "The move to bring David Beckham to the U.S. is one of a series of milestones," MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis told Reuters after the former England captain's announcement that he will join the Galaxy in August. "Those who have followed us know that it's only one of a series of milestones for us over the past couple of years," he said. "But our primary focus remains on developing young American players." Beckham's announcement on Thursday put MLS on the sporting world's map for the first time since 2004 when then 14-year-old Ghana-born midfielder Freddy Adu made headlines when he became the youngest professional player in American sports history when he turned out for D.C. United. The media frenzy surrounding Adu increased crowds whenever United played, but despite what officials have said, MLS has hardly registered on the radar in the sports-saturated country, even with its increasingly diverse ethnic population. MLS officials say average attendance is 15,000 per game. "Attendance, it's neither been going up nor down dramatically," Gazidis said. "We need to grow those numbers, we need to grow TV viewership." Gazidis prefers to dwell on the positives, and there have been some important ones for the league which opens its 12th season in April. "There has been more than $1 billion invested in the league (since its debut)," said Gazidis. PRIVATE GROUP Key financial moves in the league include a 10-year, $150 million sponsorship by Adidas; the $33 million sale of four-time league champions D.C. United to a private group of investors and a multi-year broadcasting deals with ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel with nearly $80 million. "We have TV partners that are at risk (if they don't get viewers) and paying rights fees," Gazidis said. "They're going to actively promote the game, more than they did in the past." He said that the 2006 World Cup final between Italy and France had more television viewers in the U.S. than the World Series did. "It's a pretty remarkable fact," Gazidis said. "It makes you question what's America's game. So, if it is promoted and broadcasted right, we can capture the U.S. sports consumer. I think there will be a radical up-tick in viewers." Gazidis noted the continued growth of the league, which increases to 13 teams with the addition of Toronto FC. Three teams now play in soccer-specific stadiums and Gazidis expects more to do so in the future. A handful of American players have moved from MLS to European leagues and Gazidis touts the league's ability to produce exportable talent as a key to the financial growth of the league and improving the U.S. national team program. On Wednesday, New England Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey transferred to Fulham for $4 million where he will join U.S. team mates defender Carlos Bocanegra and forward Brian McBride. Gazidis remains bullish on the future of MLS. "One of the things we do share with David Beckham is some big ambitions for the game in the U.S.," he said. "We do believe that we have the capacity and the marketplace and the knowhow to become one of the best soccer leagues in the world. "Now, that will take some time," he said, "it's clearly not going to happen in the short term., but I think you continue to see us make some bold moves." (Additional reporting by Michelle Nicols in New York)
Austria beats U.S. in Under-20 World Cup (2007-07-14)Beckham deal another milestone for MLS says official (2007-01-12)Hype has caught up with Adu, observers say (2006-12-21)It's Brazil vs. Germany in quarterfinal of World Youth tournamemt (2005-06-21)
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