Before I get to the latest, let me pass out a few grains of salt to everybody, because none of this should be taken that seriously. Yet.
Still, it’s worth a moment to consider a report yesterday from the BBC regarding David Beckham’s future. According to the story, the now former-LA Galaxy star has been approached by franchises in New York and Miami about a possible role with their teams.
Already, you should be skeptical. From the report:
Franchises in Miami and New York have approached the 37-year-old, who asked for the option to own an MLS club when he joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
Both clubs are hopeful they will become MLS members before 2016, and both are keen for Beckham to play a major role.
The red flags begin with the first word of this passage. Miami doesn’t have a franchise. New York does, but the New York they’re alluding to (perhaps Queens, perhaps the Cosmos – who knows) also does not have a franchise.
It’s nit-picking, but these details are important. The next paragraph makes it clear the BBC knows these teams aren’t actually MLS members, but the preceding sentence could give a naive reader the impression both groups have been promised franchises. As you know, they haven’t. “New York 2” (Queens) seems to be in the lead to be franchise number 20, but there are still a number of details to be worked out. Even if they get resolved, Beckham can’t buy into that team.
At any point, a group of people can approach a Beckham advisor and ask about his interest in joining their group. Undoubtedly, on soccer and non-soccer issues, this happens all the time, and it also provides limited fodder to make Miami and New York connections, even if the approach never trickles up to the man who’ll make the decision. It’s thin reporting that overlooks a bit of common sense, but unfortunately, it’s become standard operating procedure. Though it’s unclear the BBC is making this mistake, their story still doesn’t add up.
These things make all the Beckham speculation – particularly, the Beckham speculation from far and away lands – difficult to take seriously. Not only is the line between rumor and reportable information much thinner abroad, but the knowledge base on MLS and Beckham no longer matches their desire to report the story. That lack of background had many overlook Beckham’s familial loyalties last year. This year, it has reports overlooking the most-likely scenario.
Perhaps it’s a coincidence that Beckham’s elected to end his MLS career at the same time Philip Anschutz is putting his empire up for sale. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that he did, this weekend, allude to potential part-ownership in a team. And perhaps we should overlook those develops lining up with Beckham opting out of his contract, a deal required him to end his playing days in MLS before he could pursue his ownership options.
And maybe loyalty is the only reason he will not only help recruit Kaká to Los Angeles but also (to paraphrase his words from last Thursday) always help the Galaxy in any way he can.
This is just my reading, but that doesn’t sound like a man gearing up to buy into another team. Purchasing the LA Galaxy may not work out, but right now, it seems like the most likely scenario.
