Galaxy Quest: David Beckham Nearing Temporary Loan To AC Milan

Beckham Seeks Loan To European Club As Way To Improve Status With England National Team

BAD MOVE FOR MLS? In N.Y., Billy Witz writes how MLS "stands to benefit is uncertain." League officials did not reveal "how much money MLS would receive for the loan," but Galaxy GM & coach Bruce Arena said that "allowing Beckham to play and risk injury would be 'pretty stupid' unless the loan fee was significant" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/23). YAHOO SPORTS' Martin Rogers wrote Beckham is showing the Galaxy and the MLS a "chronic lack of respect," and "every signal suggests that he wishes he had not come to America so soon." But the "blame is not Beckham's alone in this instance" -- if the Galaxy are "not strong enough to stand up to him on the matter of a loan, then maybe he is within his rights to push the issue." Galaxy owners AEG "seem to prioritize the bottom line over the product on the field" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/22). Arena said of the move: "On the surface, it sounds like an odd proposition. I don't see where that benefits MLS or the Galaxy" (L.A. TIMES, 10/23).

EXPANDING BRAND BECKHAM: BRAND REPUBLIC's Nikki Sandison writes signing Beckham, who has endorsement agreements with PepsiCo, Sharpie and Armani, among others, "will provide huge commercial benefits for AC Milan, which is itself sponsored" by car manufacturer Opel (BRANDREPUBLIC.com, 10/23). The AP's Robert Millward writes a move to Italy "could be an ideal new home for Beckham." If he "joins the likes of Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Kaka at Milan, it will raise his profile in Europe again and make him even more marketable" (AP, 10/23). ESPN SOCCERNET's Jon Carter wrote the "cynics will point to the move, from [AC Milan's] point of view, as one that puts marketing reasons above sporting ones." Carter: "'Brand Beckham' will certainly sell shirts, while the prospect of having a footballing fashion icon complete with celebrity wife dropping into ... one of the world's most fashion-conscious cities can only increase the fervour surrounding his arrival." AC Milan have been "struggling financially in recent years and Beckham's arrival would certainly help the club out of the red" (ESPNSOCCERNET.com, 10/22).

SELLING TV RIGHTS: In London, Dan Sabbagh notes while no British TV net "holds the rights to show Serie A matches this season," industry officials "hope that Beckham's arrival will encourage a channel to bid." Perform Group, which markets Serie A TV rights in the U.K., would "like to sell the rights for all games for [US$16.2M], although that price is unlikely to find any takers." Perform Group's Mike Ingram: "We're hopeful that somebody will show interest, although we'd have been happier still if we'd have known Beckham was joining at the beginning of the season" (LONDON TIMES, 10/23).

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