David Beckham Coming to United States Causes Tidal Wave of Apathy
by Kris on 1/13/2007 (8)
 | Chances are, this is the first time you've ever seen David Beckham | | Even before it was made official, an air of "something big is gonna happen and I'm not gonna care" spread across the furthest reaches of the United States. And then it happened, and people generally didn't care. Soccer (football) great David Beckham would be invading Major League Soccer after signing a $250 million, five year deal to play with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He hopes to bring titles to LA and respectability to a sport that Americans just don't care about. As the news spread across the nation, a flood of apathy swept across America. People looked up, marveled at the huge dollar amount, then went back to what they were previously doing, which was almost univerisally not playing soccer. Many have heard of Beckham, the most recognizable soccer star in the world, but few care. The current level of buzz for the Beckham signing can be compared to the buzz that would sweep the nation if Coke 2 was put back on the store shelves nationwide (but not replacing Coke as it previously had). "He was that guy in that 'Bend it like Beckham' movie, right?" said one unexcited fan. "Which one was he, the English girl or the Indian girl?" "He married a Spice Girl, right?" said hotel busboy Jacob Anderson. "I always wondered what happened to the Spice Girls." "Before Beckham came to Major League Soccer, I didn't care at all," said restaurant manager Marvin Carlson. "Now, I still don't care but I can name one person who plays for a soccer team in the United States." Since the announcement, season ticket sales for the Galaxy increased by 2,000, which seems to indicate a certain level of interest. But when you consider season ticket sales also increased by 1,000 last season when they offered a free pizza coupon with any season ticket purchase, 2,000 is not such an impressive number. Season tickets currently cost $12 for the entire season though in order to cover Beckham's massive contract, that amount will soon be readjusted to as much as $1,200.
"David (Beckham) appeals to so many different people," Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas said. "Of course, most of those people live in Europe and Asia, which could be a problem.""0" style
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