With Beckham’s Arrival, Will MLS Challenge the NFL as America’s Favorite Sport?
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
This summer’s hottest premiere won’t be the new Transformers movie next week. It will take place on the soccer field when international star David Beckham makes his debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy in July.
OK, that’s what adidas would have us believe. Personally, I could care less. I mean, David Beckham is making an unbelievable $250 million over five years. That got my attention. But I would rather watch paint dry than watch soccer. That’s just me. As his arrival in the U.S. nears, the debate on futbol vs. football is being fueled by New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush who is swapping the pigskin for a soccer ball in an adidas promo. Reggie traveled to Madrid to show off some of his fancy footwork and teach Beckham a few things about sports culture in the U.S. as an official welcome to the American sports scene.
BECKHAM: Since I signed with the Galaxy, you know every time I do an interview, I’m trying to get myself to say soccer because I’ve always said futbol.
BUSH: And when you think about our sport we call football, it would seem like [soccer] would be the sport you actually call football because you’re kicking it with your foot, so it makes sense. We call [American football] football, but we actually throw it a lot more than we kick it.
Both athletes showed off their baller skills and challenged each other to tackle their respective sports. Beckham attempted a record-breaking field goal with Reggie as his placeholder and Reggie attempted to “Bend it like Beckham” as he practiced free kicks. Never-before-seen footage of this meeting is available for viewing at www.futbolmeetsfootball.com. Check it out. To build momentum for Beckham’s U.S. arrival, adidas brought these two star athletes together to embody the world’s most popular and entertaining sports through two of its biggest stars.
Major League Soccer in America is poised for tremendous growth. I know it’s a popular sport, but I was stunned to learn that more than 140 million Americans tuned-in for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany (I was not one of them), compared to the 90 million Americans who watched Super Bowl XLI (I was one of them). As the most recognizable soccer player in the world enters the U.S. playing field, the stage is set for fan growth. I understand this. Whether soccer can garner the attention of sports fans in the States long-term, however, will probably depend on how it can compete with America’s most popular sport — football. Beckham said:
“I’ve never been to an [American football] game. I want to. Because every time I’ve seen the Super Bowl or something like that, it’s so passionate. Everyone -– the fans, the players –- seems so passionate about it.”
David Beckham will help increase the popularity of soccer in the U.S., but not to the level of professional football. I can’t imagine that fans will support an entire season of action the way they did the World Cup last year. Over the course of a full season, fans will support the NFL more than they will MLS. In fact, how many of you were even aware that an MLS season was underway right now? I had no idea. The Galaxy are 2-5-3 after 10 games.
Beckham will be noticed here. However, getting the United States to open up to a sport which has been trying now for at least 30 years, from the time of Pelé, to dethrone professional football, is too much to ask. It could be another 20 years before soccer becomes a regular on TV across the nation. They’re currently playing regular season games on ESPN2 and FSN. Sorry, futbol.
Beckham is scheduled to begin his season with the Galaxy this July, while Reggie Bush arrives at training camp for his second year with the Saints shortly thereafter. Before reporting, Reggie has promised to attend Beckham’s first Galaxy match in Los Angeles.
Tags: david-beckham, los-angeles-galaxy, major-league-soccer, mls, national-football-league, New Orleans Saints, NFL, reggie-bushRelated Stories
POSTED IN: NFL - NFL
3 opinions for With Beckham’s Arrival, Will MLS Challenge the NFL as America’s Favorite Sport?
Jeff De Cagna
Jun 29, 2007 at 4:42 am
It’s fine if you don’t like soccer, but why do you need to keep telling us? Are you worried we’ll think you have soccer cooties?
Also, have you noticed that Americans tend to dislike and mock sports in which we don’t excel? It’s kind of sad, actually.
I love football as much as the next guy, but I also enjoy soccer, and I am secure enough not to have to denigrate one to build up the other.
David
Jun 29, 2007 at 5:36 am
Actually, this is the first time I’ve ever mentioned that I don’t like soccer. It’s a fine sport enjoyed by (obviously) many people. Just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s no good. In fact, it appears I’m in the minority. But for adidas to predict the sport is ready to challenge the popularity of football here in the U.S. — that’s absurd.
FanProphet
Jun 29, 2007 at 7:52 pm
You’re right it is absurd. There is absolutely nothing sport or no sport that will ever challenge the NFL or NCAA football.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: