What do you think of the state of soccer in America in the aftermath of the David Beckham signing?

I'm curious as to people's thoughts and opinions. I'm a damn big fan of the game and I've always hoped it would take off in this country as it has for, well, the rest of the damn world. Based on a lot of answers I've gotten on similar questions in the past, it seems like in this country, if it's not an American-made sport, it must be a game for *******; but maybe that's the more extreme end of it and the result of more extreme opinion givers. Could paying David what no athlete here in America earns annually let alone in world soccer be the solution? 50 million a year to kick a ball?Give me your thoughts and ideas.

What do you think of the state of soccer in America in the aftermath of the David Beckham signing?
I think's its great for both Beckam and MLS. Both sides will benefit.





Money aside, Beckham wants the sport to be popular in America; and by doing that he's being an ambassador of the sport. England should be very proud he's taking this road.





Look at me, I didn't even care about soccer and now I've been on this section since this deal was announced.





The $50m a year includes endorsement, and so it's not as much as you think. The actual contract itself is$10m.... so he's not even in the top 5 highest players in the country.
Reply:Soccer takes a lot of running. Running makes you thin. Thin men, agile men, sleek men, are not seen as "manly" men. I totally agree: it has a lot to do with homophobia and the idea that a fast, smart athlete is not nearly as attractive as a huge, brawny guy that could kick your ***.





Sports here, I think, are a lot more closely related to war. (See the New York Times' Sunday report on how Democrats are trying to get more manly-men -- they chose football players and soldiers. Nary a runner, swimmer, speed skater, whatever .... in the bunch.)





Anyway, I think that soccer is going to continue to be a sport for sexy people, and football is going to continue to be the sport for the middle-class. Sorry, but it's true. Becks is hot, lithe, goes to the spa (owns a spa!) and would certainly get his *** kicked at your average American high school.





Besides, soccer is associated with Europe, which to the middle-class is associated with snobbery, the "Oxbridge" tradition, etc. Most Americans don't even have passports.
Reply:I THINK IT IS CRAZY THAT HE IS GETTING PAID THAT MUCH MONEY.
Reply:The level of soccer will rise both in America and Spain.
Reply:The signing means: " we are desperate but won't spend money on good players ".
Reply:I think that it's finally gonna raise the profile of soccer/ football here in America. I finally want to turn on a game more than five times a year on local or ESPN channels. I agree it's a lot of money but look at every player of the Yankees. You know he's worth it for all the notoriety he'll bring America and how damn good he really is.
Reply:I don't think it is going to have lasting effects on soccer in America. Soccer is not a sport americans like. Americans need instant gratification of lots of scores, like basketball, and football,





They like baseball because of all the explanations on TV while it plays, or beer at the park,





To video game loving americans, Soccer is too slow and boring