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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Addition Of Zlatan Ibrahimovic A Worthwhile Gamble For MLS

Some feel that Ibrahimovic is the biggest name that MLS has landed since David BeckhamGETTY IMAGES

The Galaxy signing former ManU F Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a "gamble worth taking for MLS," as the Swedish star remains "one the game's biggest names," according to Ives Galarcep of GOAL.com. MLS has "worked to erase the 'retirement league' stigma earned after years of signing star players at the tail ends of their careers." The '18 MLS season was "shaping up to be just the kind of year to help scrub away" the label with the "arrival of so many highly regarded young players from South America." Ibrahimovic is a "clear step away from that strategy," but the Galaxy and MLS are "understandably willing to take the gamble" on him. As much as Galaxy F Giovani dos Santos and MF Jonathan dos Santos have "helped the club make inroads in the Latino community, Ibrahimovic keeps the Galaxy a team recognized beyond U.S. borders" (GOAL.com, 3/22). SLATE.com's Eric Betts wrote Ibrahimovic is the "biggest name MLS has landed since David Beckham." His arrival "may or may not be a competitive boon for a Galaxy team that finished with the worst record in MLS last season." But as with Beckham, Ibrahimovic's on-field contributions are "only a fraction of what he'll bring to the league." MLS is "getting Zlatan the man, the myth, the legend, the egomaniacal goofball." He is the "same level of audaciously entertaining on the field as he is off it, and that balance, two identities in perfect harmony, has prevented either from being punctured." All of this is "good for MLS, and makes a 36-year-old returning from the most significant injury of his career more valuable to this particular league than any other" (SLATE.com, 3/22). ESPN's Trey Wingo: "Outside of getting Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to come over, this is as good as it's going to get" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 3/23).

STILL ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE: ESPN’s Max Bretos said MLS is "not a retirement league anymore," and despite the fact Ibrahimovic is closer to the end of his career than the start, he is "one of the very few players -- you can count them on one hand -- that can make an impact on the field, off the field for a league like this” (“ESPN FC,” ESPNews, 3/22). ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle added bringing in Ibrahimovic will "no doubt revive the view that MLS is nothing more than a retirement league." However, he is "one of a few players for whom MLS should move regardless of any potential blowback." The arrival of expansion club LAFC was "motivation for making a big splash" for the Galaxy. Their new crosstown rival has "added some high-profile signings" and is "off to a sparkling start in the league." The "Battle for L.A. is now well and truly on." Meanwhile, an "uncensored Ibrahimovic casting a spotlight on the warts of the Galaxy and MLS might actually do more to move the needle, especially in an oversaturated sports market" like L.A. But even that "has its limits." The challenge in these situations is "avoiding the circus effect, whereby a prospective fan sees Ibrahimovic once and that's enough." The way to keep them coming back is for Ibrahimovic to "produce on a consistent basis" like NYCFC F David Villa (ESPN.com, 3/22).

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