David Beckham is leaving Real Madrid for the L.A. Galaxy. Obviously, this is the biggest signing in the history of Major League Soccer, and Beckham will instantly become the most — if not the only — recognized player in the league.
Beckham is to join L.A. in August — although other reports say it could be as early as July 4 — after his contract with Real Madrid runs out in June.
For an internationally known star like Beckham to join a Los Angeles based team is a huge boost for the infinitely unpopular MLS. The 2006 MLS Cup only scored a 0.8 rating on ABC, lower than the ratings for the Arena Football League and the NHL. Very rarely are highlights shown on SportsCenter, and even in the world of soccer it’s far down on the totem pole.
Beckham’s arrival won’t win the league huge ratings. It would take a 37 percent jump just for MLS Cup ratings to hit 1.1. But the league will certainly win some publicity, if only today and for the first few days of Beckham’s run with the Galaxy. And at the very least, this puts the L.A. Galaxy ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks when it comes to popularity in the city.
