Balls

So, David Beckham goes to LA Galaxy to play soccer? That would be from real Madrid to contrived Los Angeles? And Luis Figo goes to somewhere absurd, like Doha or Abu Dhabi?
Pecuniam non olet.
Show me the money.
In the dim and distant past I recall an abortive attempt at a North American League which attracted the stellar (albeit by then waning) talents of George Best and Pele. History repeats. Beckham was on the way out by the time he moved to Real, thanks in part to that dour bastard Ferguson at United. I get the sense that there were few in the UK that wept many tears, except perhaps the Man U. hardliners. Such is British society; build ‘em up and tear ‘em down. It’s the rules. An issue is Beckham will stand out so much that clubs like Galaxy or Fire will need to spend a boatload more money to create a team around him that could actually play the game as a unit.
A report in today’s paper had it that in the US sah-karr is a game for kids, women and Hispanics. Sure, there’s a million soccer moms, and exhibition games seem to attract a fair crowd, the national Women’s team is great and it’s always terrific to see the boys play in the World Cup. But. Despite Beckham and whoever else might be attracted to the game in the States, I can’t honestly see it really taking off. Soccer challenging the NBA? Football? Baseball? I don’t think so. The reverse is also true; basketball rivalling soccer in Europe? Nah.
Does it matter? Not a bit. The Beckhams will earn a king’s ransom, and good luck to them. There’ll be another hero to adore, the league will make a shekel or two, stylists might have a tad more inspiration (I’m open to argument on that one) and more kids will spend more time in the fresh air, rather than being huddled over a steaming Xbox.
Plus, if Disney or whomever wake up and give the squirrel from Ice Age his dues with a full-length feature, they’ve got the voice artist right there.
Oh, and happy New Year. Look after your nuts. May your God go with you.