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MLS union hopes Beckham starts wage increase
USA - 09 May, 2007
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Since David Beckham is getting good money in the MLS, other players are hoping to see the cash flow to them as well.
A deal with the L.A. Galaxy – which includes commercial rights – could net Beckham USD 250 million over five seasons. Even without the sponsorship and marketing deals, his basic annual salary of USD 5.5 million is more than 50 times the average for the league, which, in terms of salary and polopularity, lags behind established North American leagues such as the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and the NHL.
"The interesting thing is that he negotiated a deal which was based on what the market would bear for his services, which unfortunately does not happen that often in the MLS," union executive director Bob Foose told Reuters.
Unlike in Europe, where clubs strike individual deals with players, nearly all MLS salary arrangements are set by the league itself. Beckham signed for Galaxy under a new 'designated player' arrangement which allows each club to sign one player on their own terms.
The two next best paid players in MLS are both designated players. Mexican national Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who will play for Chicago Fire, is looking at USD 2.5 million, while Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel will earn USD 1.5 million with New York Red Bulls according to the union's figures.
"He has negotiated a deal on his market value - and that is great," Foose said. "The reason that we published the numbers was the hope that it creates upward pressure on salaries. We hope Beckham can create that upward pressure. I don't want to overstate the influence of one player but it helps. Average salaries have been increasing in the past year."
Celebrity websites reported earlier this month that Beckham and his pop star wife Victoria have bought a 13,000 sq foot, nine-bathroom home in Beverly Hills valued at USD 22 million. Victoria will chronicle the family's move to LA in a six-episode reality show for U.S. television.
A deal with the L.A. Galaxy – which includes commercial rights – could net Beckham USD 250 million over five seasons. Even without the sponsorship and marketing deals, his basic annual salary of USD 5.5 million is more than 50 times the average for the league, which, in terms of salary and polopularity, lags behind established North American leagues such as the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and the NHL.
"The interesting thing is that he negotiated a deal which was based on what the market would bear for his services, which unfortunately does not happen that often in the MLS," union executive director Bob Foose told Reuters.
Unlike in Europe, where clubs strike individual deals with players, nearly all MLS salary arrangements are set by the league itself. Beckham signed for Galaxy under a new 'designated player' arrangement which allows each club to sign one player on their own terms.
The two next best paid players in MLS are both designated players. Mexican national Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who will play for Chicago Fire, is looking at USD 2.5 million, while Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel will earn USD 1.5 million with New York Red Bulls according to the union's figures.
"He has negotiated a deal on his market value - and that is great," Foose said. "The reason that we published the numbers was the hope that it creates upward pressure on salaries. We hope Beckham can create that upward pressure. I don't want to overstate the influence of one player but it helps. Average salaries have been increasing in the past year."
Celebrity websites reported earlier this month that Beckham and his pop star wife Victoria have bought a 13,000 sq foot, nine-bathroom home in Beverly Hills valued at USD 22 million. Victoria will chronicle the family's move to LA in a six-episode reality show for U.S. television.
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