Since the announcement of his signing in January, the Galaxy and Major League Soccer (MLS) have been focused on selling Beckham to sponsors and fans. The effort has been an unqualified success. In addition to major shirt sponsor Herbalife ($20 million over five years), it has been reported that the Galaxy have signed other deals totaling $6 million over the past six months.
Ticket revenue has also soared with the Galaxy having increased ticket revenue by an estimated $4 million compared to last year. Friendly matches this year – which have the potential of earning the team $1 million per game – have already been scheduled against two second division professional teams in the US and Canada (Minnesota and Vancouver) and one in Sydney. The Galaxy is planning a 2008 pre-season tour of Asia and friendly matches in the UK.
US media outlets have reported that the Galaxy received orders for 250,000 Beckham shirts before his unveiling last Friday and that first day Beckham Galaxy sales exceeded those for the players first day with Real Madrid.
Beckham, however, is clearly not the only soccer attraction in MLS: Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco generated a larger crowd than Beckham for his MLS unveiling in April and has likewise increased ticket sales and commercial revenue for the Chicago Fire. More designated players are expected this season and next.
Soccer in the US is poised to grow at all levels, including MLS. For information on the commercial aspects of the US soccer industry, please click here
