> $250 Million Dollar Man

David Beckham on Thursday, announced a five-year deal to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a deal $250 million

David Beckham is set to become the first modern footballer to have a stake in the football club he plays for - and share in its profits and is estimated to possibly as much as $10m (£5.14m) a year in profits....

The Galaxy didn't say exactly what they'll pay him, but floated a figure of $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements over the length of his contract. In other words, his move could be worth $1 million a week & Beckham could earn more than $250m, perhaps as much as $275m, over the period of his contract....

Beckham turned down a two-year contract extension from Spanish team Real Madrid, where his fading skills left him on the bench

"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America," gushed Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.

Bringing free kicks, glitz and his Spice Girl wife, Beckham is leading another British invasion, hoping to do for American soccer what the Beatles once did for pop music -- make it rock.

"Beckham Comes to America" flashed on video screens outside Staples Center, owned by AEG, the sports and entertainment company that runs the Galaxy.
Beckham 's Official Statement

In Los Angeles, the Beckham effect was felt immediately
The Galaxy sold 1,000 new season tickets Thursday morning. Their season begins April 8...

The team averages 22,000 to 24,000 fans in its 27,000-seat stadium in suburban Carson, although attendance was down last season when the Galaxy missed the playoffs.

"They know we Latinos are filling the soccer stadiums. That's why they want to bring stars here," said Juan Munguia, a 30-year-old Mexican hotel cook. "I will go just to see Beckham."

The team is anticipating changes in its fan base, especially among women.

Beckham will become the biggest star to play U.S. professional soccer since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer were in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s.

"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America," gushed Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.

And Beckham is sure gona be in the Starting lineup for the Galaxy.

"He's coming here to make a difference," Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said. "He's not coming here on vacation."


Becks 'n' Posh are coming to Hollywood


If Beckham doesnot shine On the Field then maybe He will shine Off the field &all the pieces are in place for Beckham's entry into Hollywood:

*His deal was negotiated in a mere 10 days by major entertainment industry players Simon Fuller, creator of "American Idol," and Creative Artists Agency, home to some of Hollywood's biggest actors.

*He already has a soccer academy at the Galaxy's stadium complex in suburban Carson.

*He and Spice Girl wife Victoria count Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise as pals and have enough other high-profile connections to be out on the town every night.

*The Beckhams are represented by Fuller, who could help deliver the Hollywood career that Victoria has long sought.


:: HOW THE WAGES BREAK DOWN ::

* £128million over five years.

* £25.6million every year.

* £492,307.69 every week.

* £2930.40 every hour.

* £48.84 every minute.

* 81p every second


World's Highest-earning Sports Stars

Below are the highest-earning athletes according to Forbes in June 2006.

Beckham's new annual income of $55m would put him 3rd on the list

1. Tiger Woods (Golf) $90m

2. Mchael Schumacher (Formula One) $58m

3. Phil Mickelson (Golf) $47m

4. Kobe Bryant (Basketball) $31m

5. Shaquille O'Neal (Basketball) $30m

5. Valentino Rossi (Moto GP) $30m

7. Alex Rodriguez (Baseball) $29m

7. Tom Brady (American Football) $29m

9. Carson Palmer (American Football) $28m

10. David Beckham (Football) $27m

As long as the deals keep coming in - his form and skills can take a back seat

Overrated player in imho. No offense meant to his fans - just my opinion.

Sum of $250 million does sound cool though - good luck to him.

PS: Good work knoughty - as always

wonder how much our indian cricketers get

my my my... imagine wht all v could get wid dat much money!!!...

Real Madrid: "You'll NEVER play for us again"

The talk so far has been of his multimillion-pound pay deal, expensive mansions and a future of high living with his A-list friends. Yesterday David Beckham was brought back to earth with a bump....

"David Beckham will not play again for Real Madrid after agreeing a move to Los Angeles Galaxy" said Real's Italian coach Fabio Fabio Capello.

Capello wrote off the rest of the former England captain’s season in Spain, saying:"Beckham will train with the team but he won't play,"

He said Beckham's decision to stay until June "is his decision, not the club's."

When asked if the 31-year-old midfielder would go out on loan for the last six months of his contract, Capello replied: "You will have to ask Beckham that question".


If Capello stands by his decision, then former Manchester United player's last game for Real will have been last Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Deportivo Coruna...

In a statement issued after Beckham signed for LA Galaxy on Thursday, Beckham said he would be giving 100% for Capello until the end of the season, but the Italian manager said:"He has always been a great professional but if a player has such an important contract with another club you cannot count on him. You can't have the same enthusiasm when your mind is on other things."

Capello’s comments stunned some club officials at Real. They believed that with Madrid still in three competitions Beckham would be a valuable squad player. Real’s fans are also likely to be shocked by the vehemence of the Italian’s remarks. The club’s poor recent form means Capello is playing a risky game by openly questioning a very popular player’s loyalty.

Beckham will now be forced to train in isolation and watch the rest of the season’s matches on television after seeing his hopes of winning a trophy before he walks away from the club in the summer destroyed. Real Madrid’s bosses are believed to be uneasy about the prospect of the rest of their season being overshadowed by Beckham’s move to Los Angeles. They are also unhappy to have lost Beckham on a free transfer, especially given the publicity accorded to the remarkable financial terms of the player’s deal in America.

"As far as David is aware he has a contract for the remainder of the season and he remains dedicated to the club and the supporters," Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira said overnight.

"David is surprised at the quotes from Capello as no one from the club has informed him of this intention. He will continue to give his full commitment in a professional manner to the club."

Beckham decided on Thursday not to extend his contract with Real, agreeing to move to Major League Soccer (MLS) when his deal expires in June.

The five-year contract taking Beckham to the United States is worth $US250 million, the biggest in world sport.

Faced with seven months out of competitive football, Beckham could now bring forward his switch to Major League Soccer (MLS). He is scheduled to join LA Galaxy in August, midway through their season, but could now try to move in April, when the MLS season kicks off. To do that, he may need to buy himself out of the remainder of a contract that does not run out until the end of the season or hope that Galaxy pay a transfer fee to release him.

But Real Madrid might prefer Beckham to be loaned out for the rest of the season with another club, possibly from the Premiership, picking up his wages but that will not suit Beckham, who won’t wish to jeopardise his US project by risking injury.

all the best to him!

and are my eyes playing tricks or does that stick of a woman Victoria have implants :O

Beckham seeks early EXIT from Real Madrid

Beckham was a spectator at Real's league game with Zaragoza

David Beckham is seeking an early release from his contract with Real Madrid to join Los Angeles Galaxy before the end of the Primera Liga season, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has said.

"I understand that David's lawyers are working to secure a possible amicable exit from Real because we would not be able to pay the buy-out clause," Garber told Spanish sports daily Marca on Monday.

"We want to him to have it as soon as possible so the league and the Galaxy are doing everything we can to make this happen.

"Furthermore, David is keen to come sooner."

The former England captain decided not to renew his contract with Real and has agreed a move to the Galaxy when his contract expires in June.

The five-year deal with the MLS side is worth $250 million, the biggest in world sport.

Following Beckham's announcement Real coach Fabio Capello dropped the midfielder from the squad and said he would not play for the side again.

The Italian said it was not possible to rely on a player who had already committed himself to another club.

The MLS season starts in April.

Well....An american socccer fan stated//
"Becham comign here...Good for him...He isnt going to make much of a difference...coz he is a superstar...not a football player"