Comments on: Beckham Circus Hurting MLS http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/beckham-circus-hurting-mls/104 Daily Analysis of Major League Soccer Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:31:39 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joe Ginto http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/beckham-circus-hurting-mls/104#comment-72 Joe Ginto Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:45:00 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/beckham-circus-hurting-mls/104#comment-72 i disagree with the premise that the beckham effect has had a "less-than-salutary effect of cheapening the rest of the league." aeg knew what it was getting, though they obviously weren't banking on an injury. mls needed to back up this signing with all their weight and espn is...well, espn. seen the barry bonds home run chase? they can't help but be overbearing.<br/> <br/>espn and mls are joined together for better or worse. the partnership will improve the popularity of the sport. how it goes about attaining that goal is where i believe football fans will take exception. i disagree with the premise that the beckham effect has had a “less-than-salutary effect of cheapening the rest of the league.” aeg knew what it was getting, though they obviously weren’t banking on an injury. mls needed to back up this signing with all their weight and espn is…well, espn. seen the barry bonds home run chase? they can’t help but be overbearing.

espn and mls are joined together for better or worse. the partnership will improve the popularity of the sport. how it goes about attaining that goal is where i believe football fans will take exception.

]]> By: The Manly Ferry http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/beckham-circus-hurting-mls/104#comment-70 The Manly Ferry Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:13:00 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/beckham-circus-hurting-mls/104#comment-70 I'm going the same way as Kartik. Short-term revenue gains are swell, but they're neither permanent nor stable. Reducing the entire league to the role of <a HREF="http://centerholdsit.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/lag-v-tfc-quality-advertising/" REL="nofollow">a supporting cast</a> for one player does the disservice of sullying the central product - e.g. MLS itself.<br/><br/>The above may be more intuitive than scientific, but stoking the perception that One Great Player graced a league of barely-competent players, and moving the schedule around to reinforce the impression, doesn't do much to build the brand. I’m going the same way as Kartik. Short-term revenue gains are swell, but they’re neither permanent nor stable. Reducing the entire league to the role of a supporting cast for one player does the disservice of sullying the central product – e.g. MLS itself.

The above may be more intuitive than scientific, but stoking the perception that One Great Player graced a league of barely-competent players, and moving the schedule around to reinforce the impression, doesn’t do much to build the brand.

]]> By: Bonji http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/beckham-circus-hurting-mls/104#comment-69 Bonji Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:59:00 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/beckham-circus-hurting-mls/104#comment-69 Without Beckham playing in a league game, MLS merchandise sales are up 300% and they have sold over 300,000 Beckham jerseys. I doubt the league agrees with this article. Without Beckham playing in a league game, MLS merchandise sales are up 300% and they have sold over 300,000 Beckham jerseys. I doubt the league agrees with this article.

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