[driftless2]

Oh good grief, I'm 63, and I never knew one single co-worker, friend, family member, whoever, in all my years who ever mentioned watching a soccer game that didn't involve their kids playing in a youth league. Not one. If you asked Americans who Beckham is, a very sizable percentage would have no clue. Soccer is a long, long, long way from gaining any kind of national recognition in the U.S.

Similarly, I doubt American sports like American football will ever take hold in Britain or other countries. Canada is the only foreign country that likes American-style football. When I pass sports fields in the area and I see young kids who aren't Hmong playing pickup soccer, then I'll know soccer has gained a foothold. But not before that.

[scrabblehack]

I’ve heard of Beckham, but so far as I know he wasn’t playing to sellout crowds, or does MLS even have a TV contract? Maybe on some cable station?

Is the ticket and TV revenue large enough to justify a $32.5 million contract over 5 years?

I have watched an occasional World Cup game if Team USA was in it....that’s about it.