By now we should all know David Beckham is an idiot, so is this one of the stupidest moves ever? Or is the money enough to make up for the fact he could be playing in a much better league?
Becks signs for LA

I'd be happy being paid $10mil a year. Beckham is one of those people who keeps his eye on the price (which to him, is cash). He doesn't care about his reputation. It doesn't make him an idiot, just a money hungry lad.

I didn't say that made him an idiot, the fact he barely has a brain qualifies him as an idiot.

he's done with England (the new coach who's name eludes me, has cut him) he aint playing in the first team with Real, he's at the back end of his career, so why not cash in... LOLOL

~$1 Mill USD a week!!

Plus he'll get MEGA endorsements once he cracks it in the states...

I personally rekon he is a wanker, but s*** if I was getting paid $1mill a week, why the f*** would I care what anyone else thinks :)

p.s. his voice is annoying and he sounds like a 2 year old

p.p.s Posh Spice is an ugly troll with fake tits and skinny as a rake!

posh spice is hot, and you're a dice if you think other wise

This is pretty much the same was what Pele did... is he an idiot too?

fpot pelle didn't earn the money beckham is getting...

.. and pave you poor sole if you think 'it' is hot....

umm 10 mil a year.. no no no


get it right..

he gets 1 million a week... 52m a year garanteed for 5 years...

umm i know where i would go to kick a ball around in my waning years of professional football

no tit haters welcome

I'd f*** Posh Spice for a million US a week.

How is Beckham an idiot? He said years ago he would never play in another EPL team other than ManU, who obviously dont need him.
Real Madrids manager is a fkn tosspot who refuses to play or even acknowledge him anywhere other than a sub even though their forwards are getting no service anymore cause their midfield is f***ing shocking.
That leaves Italy and Juve are still serie B, AC need more than Beckham to pull them out of the s*** and Inter definitely don't need him .

So either he sits on the bench until Cappello gets the boot (which would have to be a possibility at the moment), moves to a middle of the table Italian team so Posh can go shopping, or goes to a mid ranked EPL team where he will have the press on his ass again constantly when he game will not be as good as it once was over there. Wasn't that bad a decision :/

Ronaldo should f*** off over to America with him though.

last edited by Lunch at 12:29:31 12/Jan/07

how could you spend 52million a year ??? he must have a cock addiction or something

i mean coke

how am i the poor sod, you're the one with the obviously huge standards for a virgin

As if you wouldn't just casino it everyday!

i dunno how you figure earning 1.3 million a week to play soccer could qualify him as an idiot

hes getting on, so he has sured up his future until hes done

americans love him

ps posh is a fugly, i wouldnt hit it with paveways stump

I didn't say that (taking this deal) made him an idiot, the fact he barely has a brain qualifies him as an idiot.

Point 1 - He is an idiot
Point 2 - He just pocketed a large contract to play in what is currently relative obscurity.

Therefore the issue is:
Is point 2 partially due to point 1, or are they completely separate and the deal goes against the general opinion of him (i.e. point 1)?

spook you have probably the lowest standards on this forum, i'm very surprised

Choosing to get paid US 1 MIL A WEEK sounds like a not so stupid decision to me.

It is an awesome move. After years of playing in high pressure leagues for high profile teams he can chill in a quieter league and still earn s***loads of money.

As I said, exactly what Pele did.

At the risk of fading into obscurity, ruining his reputation and losing future earnings through endorsments? I'm not saying that will happen but as a soccer player, being out of the European spotlight might not be a good thing.

WHAT OTHER FUTURE EARNINGS DOES HE NEED?

soccer is going to get much bigger in the states, sure its not huge now, but its not like americans do things by halves

its a smart move by american soccer and by beckham

only soccer snobs that think the only place soccer counts is in europe and south america think this is a bad idea

At the risk of fading into obscurity, ruining his reputation and losing future earnings through endorsments?

Yeh what spook said. What the f***? Do you realise how rich this guy is? I'd 'fade into obscurity' for 52mill a year for 5 years any day of the week.

Leave the thread.

soccer is going to get much bigger in the states

Isn't that what they said after the last world cup, and the one before that, and the one before that and especially after USA 94?

I'd 'fade into obscurity' for 52mill a year for 5 years any day of the week.

Maybe some people would rather try and win a title that means something in front of passionate fans? Having had a bad run at Madrid and with England he really hasn't won all that much lately for one of the very best players in the world. I'm sure he could still make awesome money elsewhere and win leagues with history and a world wide following.

Chakas wtf are you arguing here? his move to the states will not end him up living like a bum in the streets of LA ok? though it's nice to know you're so concerned for beckham's well being and future career.

I never said he would end up living like a bum.

Maybe some people would rather try and win a title that means something in front of passionate fans? Having had a bad run at Madrid and with England he really hasn't won all that much lately for one of the very best players in the world. I'm sure he could still make awesome money elsewhere and win leagues with history and a world wide following.

Maybe he's happy with the fact that he's been the words best player, one a heap of titles in front of passionate fans? Maybe he wants to retire? Maybe he just wants to earn a million dollars a week playing a sport he loves?

When he finishes this contract hell be 36, that's getting pretty old for a sports man.

Maybe some people would rather try and win a title that means something in front of passionate fans? Having had a bad run at Madrid and with England he really hasn't won all that much lately for one of the very best players in the world. I'm sure he could still make awesome money elsewhere and win leagues with history and a world wide following.

Umm he has won the CL and the EPL and captained his countries team for most of his 90 caps. He gave his all for everywhere he played, and the haggling with RM was over him wanting to play more... If your manager doesnt want to play him then wtf would he want to waste the rest of his career sitting on a bench not being played? Especially considering he won't regain his England cap that way.

I'm sure he could still make awesome money elsewhere and win leagues with history and a world wide following.

No actually he wouldn't.

No actually he wouldn't.

Really? I would have thought he would have had at least 2-3 more seasons of quality top flight football in him? Surely if he was looking to regain his England cap as you suggest he would feel that way too?

Edit: Obviously that football wasn't at Madrid, staying there was never really an option.

Maybe he's happy with the fact that he's been the words best player, one a heap of titles in front of passionate fans? Maybe he wants to retire? Maybe he just wants to earn a million dollars a week playing a sport he loves?

How happy do you think the currenty LA fans would be to see their club sink that much money into a player that is just playing for fun and/or money or treating it like a retirement... i.e. not taking it seriously?

How happy do you think the currenty LA fans would be to see their club sink that much money into a player that is just playing for fun and/or money or treating it like a retirement... i.e. not taking it seriously?

If you're not playing the game for either; fun or profit, then what the f*** are you playing for?

If you're passionate about the game, i.e. it's fun, I'd assume you'd probably play harder than a game you were f***ing sick of playing. If you were playing for the money, because you’re a professional, then you'd work hard at it. Passion + Professional == win.

There's a difference between the fun of participating (i.e. playing) and the fun of winning and achieving isn't there?

poeple should only be in any game for fun and money. cause good intentions only ever get you so far.

Edit: Obviously that football wasn't at Madrid, staying there was never really an option.

It would have been his best option, and really only option, if like you said he wanted a title. He won the treble in England, why submit his family to the press over there when your game will only be on the decline and you have won everything there is to win there...

How happy do you think the currenty LA fans would be to see their club sink that much money into a player that is just playing for fun and/or money or treating it like a retirement... i.e. not taking it seriously?

This is where the money is reportedly coming from. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6253829.stm

I think your just letting your dislike for him try to come out in this move when really... who gives a f***. No one but his/Reals' fans whined when he was hardly getting any pitch time for Real. But now he is going to the US everyone all of a sudden cares?

How happy do you think the currenty LA fans would be to see their club sink that much money into a player that is just playing for fun and/or money or treating it like a retirement... i.e. not taking it seriously?

Why even ask that question? It's not like you or beckham give a f*** about LA fans. Man, f*** the fans, unless it's all about the fanny then that's a different story.. or is it..


last edited by Booyah at 15:31:34 12/Jan/07

It would have been his best option, and really only option, if like you said he wanted a title.

Forgive me if I'm wrong here but I don't think Real have won a title since he's been there. And with him not getting much pitch time it's not like he'd really be winning/contributing to the win all that even if they did turn around what amounts to a slump for a big team like Madrid.

This is where the money is reportedly coming from:

From the link:

His existing sponsorship contracts with his four sponsors - Motorola, Pepsi, Gillette and Volkswagen - are estimated to be worth $25m

That says nearly half of the money he is reported to make from this deal is existing sponsorship and not part of the deal at all. So infact he could still have made a sizeable proportion of the what he'll make in the US if he had stayed in Europe.

chakas, yor the idiot

he will be playing his heart out for american soccer

ffs, this isnt a difficult concept regardless of how much you try and make it

Forgive me if I'm wrong here but I don't think Real have won a title since he's been there. And with him not getting much pitch time it's not like he'd really be winning/contributing to the win all that even if they did turn around what amounts to a slump for a big team like Madrid.

Inter dont want him, Chelsea and ManU dont want him, Barca and Seville don't want him. Yes, Real was his best chance to win a title and even if the others did want him, he would still be played off the bench which is what he didn't want.

That says nearly half of the money he is reported to make from this deal is existing sponsorship and not part of the deal at all. So infact he could still have made a sizeable proportion of the what he'll make in the US if he had stayed in Europe.

That sponsorship money had to be shared with his club, ditto his image rights etc. The money now goes directly to him so its not money he would make staying in Europe.


last edited by Lunch at 16:02:48 12/Jan/07

The problem with this deal is if he and MLS don't take off over there then parts of the deal could well fall apart.
-$10m salary - he gets that
-$25m existing sponsorship - he could stand to lose some of that if he fades into obscurity
-$10m in shirt sales - could fall apart
-$10m in club profits - the club has to turn big profits with their star draw card

So this could go two ways:
1- It all works out and he gets all that money and more, wins titles, expands the game in the US, has fun etc etc. i.e. best move ever!

2- It tanks and he runs around in front of small crowds making less than he could in Europe wishing he’d never left.

I never said it was a dumb move or the wrong move, I just think it has the potential to go either way. On the other hand by taking a chance on this it could turn out to be a brilliant move.

Yeah I hear he is hard up on cash, and needing this deal to work for him to stay afloat...

He has already invested in academy's in the US and stated he wanted to live there for his family etc eventually. It's a gamble for MLS for sure, but for him it's anything but..

are you guys serious. hes not the best player, not by a long shot, never has been. Hes a draw card, always has been always will be. Hes a money making player not a no1 player.

Lose endorsements, are fking kidding me, america has more money then the idiots know what to do with. And if you think melbournites are sports crazy and will watch and pay for anything (which they are, i love melbourne) times that by 10 and you have americans. He will make the news all the time, he will make s***e loads of money on the side, he will live like a king and never have to pay for anything anyway. American soccer is not as weak as u may think. because it doesnt get world press doesnt mean its complete s***e. he will play more games then he is now, he will earn more money then he can spend, and will be treated like royalty again (like he was for a time in uk).

hes no mug but hes also nowhere near the best player hahaha you noobs.

Yeah I hear he is hard up on cash, and needing this deal to work for him to stay afloat...

He has already invested in academy's in the US and stated he wanted to live there for his family etc eventually. It's a gamble for MLS for sure, but for him it's anything but..

He's already got more than enough cash, from my point of view it's more about his pride now. I look at this move a lot like F1 drivers winning championships then going to mid-pack teams. Schumacher made it work with Ferrari who hadn't won a title in decades but with him they became the dominant force. Some of his main competitors in the mid 90s tried the same thing in Hill to Jordan and Villenueve to BAR. They both tanked, the public lost respect for them, they gave up the chance to become all time greats, they lost future earnings and particularily in the case of Villenueve became bitter and unhappy with the situation. That's the risk I see here. But like I said it could work out great for Beckham and MLS.

if 11 people could fit into a F1 car then your analogy might be somewhat plausable. Beckham is not going to turn around a mid table team into a team that can win silverware in topflight football. He is 1 person, full of marketing potential and a great dead ball specialist.

This discussion is just stupid. Why is it about his pride now? He won the treble in england and led his country. He is regarded as a good player but he isnt Ronaldinho/Kaka/or any of the other current greats. Why you would put Beckham on this kind of pedestal that is some footballing sensation about to ruin his career is beyond me unless your a 13 year old japanese chick who wanted to see him in the J-league.

last edited by Lunch at 18:13:35 12/Jan/07

I think it's a terrific move. He certainly doesn't need the money, he just wants to be involved. LA will build a team and brand around him, and he will be MASSIVE over there. Forget the endorsements he is on now, the ones he accepts in the US will be even bigger. And it will only help the MLS grow and develop, so it's good for world football too.

He is definitely past his prime but this is one way to ensure he doesn't just fade away.

think of it this way..

the guy is 34.. in 5 years he will be 39.. not a great age for playing a first class football game

he is in his twilight years of professional football.. if he can stich up a nice deal to carry him to retirement/coaching role then he is doing the best thing for himself and his family...

if US football has a chance to grow because of it then its so much sweeter for him.. cause he can feel like he has made real progress of the game

its a win win

for the naysayers when you can turn down 320m USD and feel fine with it then come talk bout how stupid he is

This discussion is just stupid.

that romario guy that came out for 1/4mill a game or whatever was 40 ?

What a legend.
I used to really dislike Beckham, then I scored an orsm goal with him while playing fifa.

True story!

Getting a quarter billion dollars playing a game you love, in a league where he will easily be the best and be able to play an entertaining game seals the deal.

Anyone who says they wouldn't f*** posh, short of losing their dick to lepracy, is a f***ing liar.
Seriously. Get the f*** outta hereee

No 1 person should EVER be earning as much as he is.

The money he is earning can SAVE sooo many lives. He could give away so much of the money that he gets and still have a very similar life style to what he has.

Does it even enter into these peoples thinking that they could single handadly feed several hundred thousand people a year, a good portion of whom will die from starvation by the end of this month, and many, many more?

People the world over should be capped at how much they can earn in a year, the rest goes to people who deserve it, not you or me. The people who are starving, dieing of easily preventable diseases, those that have to scratch around in dirt looking for the smallest of seeds. The people who physically, mentaly, and importantly, environmently CANNOT find enough food to provide even the most basic of human nutrition.

Celebrities that earn (earn?) so much money and give very little of it away disgust me, those that worship them and follow their every move disgust me just as much. Epitomy of human disgrace.

p.s. I'm hacking on disgustingly rich people the world over.

EDIT: Is it possible that these people simply cannot comprehend the amount of money they have and what, just a small amount, it could do to people who really, really, really need it? Perhaps they are so caught up in their own lifestyles that they think, "$100, asif that could help anyone", "A cow? but they smell?", "Why on earth would they want a pig, better they have a car. I'm not buying 100 000 people a car."

GRRRRR, this sorta thing really fires me up. Makes me want to ninja into their house and ask them why :(

last edited by Tollaz0r! at 22:14:31 12/Jan/07

What percentage of your income do you give to charity?

This deal is a joke. It cost the team 250mil transfer fee, and then another 250mil to pay him for 5 years. He's way past his best. Yes, he is a great drawcard, but not half a billion dollars worth. The money should have been used to develop young american talent. Imagine how many young players u could put on contracts so they could develop their game without money concerns with half a billion dollars over 5 years. Absolute s***loads. And they could have bought a heap of young brazilians to come play for their team as well as developing their own.

What percentage of your income do you give to charity?

About 10%
Rent is at 38%
Fuel and Food at about 25%
Savings is at 12.5%
Entertainment and the rest is at 14.5%

So I give away a shade under what I save and not much less then what I spend on entertainment.
I get Ausstudy and 1-2 day a week part time job that slightly eats into my austudy.

How about you?

I wouldn't mind being a mother f***ing rich idiot.

I once gave $2 for one of those smile stickers.

That should be have been me!!!!!!!111312663732%@^@#^ <- drunken posting ftw

Back to reality, I'd do it purely for the money, and that's what he has done. USA can't play soccer for s*** so this is a win win for both parties really!

No 1 person should EVER be earning as much as he is.

The money he is earning can SAVE sooo many lives. He could give away so much of the money that he gets and still have a very similar life style to what he has.

Does it even enter into these peoples thinking that they could single handadly feed several hundred thousand people a year, a good portion of whom will die from starvation by the end of this month, and many, many more?

People the world over should be capped at how much they can earn in a year, the rest goes to people who deserve it, not you or me. The people who are starving, dieing of easily preventable diseases, those that have to scratch around in dirt looking for the smallest of seeds. The people who physically, mentaly, and importantly, environmently CANNOT find enough food to provide even the most basic of human nutrition.

Celebrities that earn (earn?) so much money and give very little of it away disgust me, those that worship them and follow their every move disgust me just as much. Epitomy of human disgrace.

p.s. I'm hacking on disgustingly rich people the world over.

EDIT: Is it possible that these people simply cannot comprehend the amount of money they have and what, just a small amount, it could do to people who really, really, really need it? Perhaps they are so caught up in their own lifestyles that they think, "$100, asif that could help anyone", "A cow? but they smell?", "Why on earth would they want a pig, better they have a car. I'm not buying 100 000 people a car."

GRRRRR, this sorta thing really fires me up. Makes me want to ninja into their house and ask them why :(

I hear what you're saying dude but the more money you have the greedier you get. Money and fame also changes people and i for one cant say for sure whether or not i'd be the same person if i was stinkingly rich and famous.

Everything Heardy said in his first post. same goes from me.

Why should he care about starving people? It is their own fault.

if 11 people could fit into a F1 car then your analogy might be somewhat plausable.

You're right, an F1 driver doesn't rely on 11 other people making contributions. Just the few hundred people in car design, manufacturing, engine building, setup, pit crew etc etc.... to give him a fast car that doesn't break down. Just like any other team, 1 star driver can't turn a dud F1 operation around by himself.

i've got to admit chakas you are talking a world full of s*** right meow.

It cost the team 250mil transfer fee

Maybe Real can finally buy a decent team for a change...

think of it this way..

the guy is 34.. in 5 years he will be 39.. not a great age for playing a first class football game

he is in his twilight years of professional football.. if he can stich up a nice deal to carry him to retirement/coaching role then he is doing the best thing for himself and his family...

He's actually 31.

That's 1 year older than Van Nistlerooy and Shevchenko, 1 year younger than Paul Scholes, 3 years younger than Zidane to put things in perspective.

He's still a top player and is merely suffering from politics and RM's future interests. He played an excellent season at RM last year. Scored 2 goals for England in the world cup too I think. He could easily slot in to another top club.

F1 = football is our first (and a strong) contender for worst analogy of 2007.