Beckham Fever hits the US

By Andrew
Lippe

The most
popular English midfielder in the world arrived yesterday in
Los
Angeles and speculation begins about his impact on soccer
popularity in the

America.
David Beckham, the former captain of

England’s national team will be
announced today as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. HDNet will air
the live press conference, “MLS Behind the Net – David Beckham in

America”
will air at 1:00 p.m. ET and officially welcome Beckham to the MLS.

“This will
be an elaborate truck based shoot,” said Darrell Ewalt HDNet sports producer. “We
will have Glenn Davis and Marcelo Balboa on hand broadcasting this event.” The
thirty minute press conference will bring media attention from around the globe
to the Galaxy’s home arena, the
Home
Depot
Center
in

Carson,
California.

David Beckham
is an icon. He is a showman and he creates a paparazzi frenzy wherever he goes.
He is married to former Spice girl Posh Spice, and even was the inspiration for
the critically acclaimed movie, “Bend it like Beckham.”

“We will
carry the HDNet feed on our website using the Bam network,” said Justin Pearson
communications manager for the LA Galaxy.

Beckham
signed one of the most lucrative deals in American sports history when he
decided to leave his former team Real Madrid. He signed a five year deal with
the Galaxy that will earn him approximately $250 million over the next five
years.
His merchandising and sponsorship
alone makes his arrival the biggest to the sport of soccer since Pele, joined
the New York Cosmos in the early 70’s.

Pele in
response to Beckham’s US debut said Beckham is a great player but he better be
prepared for an improved American game, “But I advise him … it will be
very difficult to play because the teams are very good. They mark very well. Be
prepared, be in good condition because it is not easy to play in the

United States.
The football is now at a high level.”

Though it
is unclear his impact on the game Beckham’s popularity is unquestionably
strong. Beckham has already sold 250,000 of his new LA Galaxy Jerseys before
his on field debut.

After the
press conference his first game will be July 21 against

Chelsea. ESPN will broadcast the game using 18
cameras to broadcast the big game. ESPN will also have the Becks-Cam, a camera
that will follow only Beckham during the exhibition match. A three-hour pregame
is also planned and it will focus on Beckham’s family and his amazing career.