Dear Carl

I submitted this email to Carl of 790 AM's Davies & Duke morning show. I only heard a bit of the show this morning as I drove in (traffic was lighter than usual today, so I didn't have as much radio time), but Carl was talking about -- what else? -- Beckham. Soccer is rarely discussed on this show (but they do have Waibel on occasionally), but I thought I'd weigh in when he asked for calls and emails about whether Beckham would grow the game of soccer in the US.

Carl,
Beckham will indeed grow the sport of soccer in the US. He will draw interest from fringe soccer fans, including the soccer moms and the media-molded curiosity-seekers. He'll also draw interest from ex-pat Euro/Latino soccer fans who have traditionally snubbed the MLS for the leagues of their homelands. (Beckham is not Latino, but he has the interest of Latino soccer fans -- and Latina soccer fans...)

In addition to these built-in audiences and manufactured audiences, soccer is unlike other American sports in that it is tied to national team competitions. The World Cup is a catalyst for passion that is fueled by more than just enjoyment of a sport, because it draws on the nationalistic pride of a people. The improved quality of the US Men's National Team has helped spark this interest in the USA, and that can turn into a passion for the local MLS clubs.

Nationalism is a powerful aphrodisiac. Basketball realizes this and is trying to tap into it with the newly organized approach to developing a national team for international play and the Olympics. Baseball is also hoping to eventually create something like the World Cup for similar reasons.

If Beckham's team, the LA Galaxy, actually becomes a good team, it will be better for the league having such a national (and maybe international) powerhouse in such a high profile media market. That will draw interest from not only new audiences, but from other global (and local) athletes, who will be willing to come to the MLS. This will improve the quality of the league, which will further the development of our American players and expand the audience even more.

This is not to say that soccer will surpass the big 3 in American sports. I think it can and will pass up hockey overall –- soccer is already becoming big in Toronto due to the new MLS team up there and the success of the Canadian National team, and we all know the Canucks are the biggest source of hockey fanaticism on the continent.

Of course, some of us may soon be sick of seeing all Beckham all the time, forcing us to turn away from soccer out of pure nausea...but I think the circus side of things will quiet down eventually.

***
As for the nausea and the circus side of things, there are plenty of articles and (yikes) pictures of His Hairness. The pix are not for those with a modest bent. I also don't imagine they're framed in the Beckham home for little Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz to see. "Mommy, why is Daddy wrestling with you in that picture? Did the wind blow your clothes off?"

A good sports illustrated article about Becks is here.

And a Time article here.

And a photo shoot that begs the question, "Why would a guy have a tramp stamp?" Apologies to all for me having succumbed to the madness and posting links. I feel dirty, and I can't get my wife off the computer now...