Assuming that Beckham’s A-League denials are all part of the drama and foxing that comes with signing a star of his caliber, the question as to who has the inside running on the former England captain is generating plenty of excitement. It’s a refreshing change that Sydney FC aren’t at the forefront. Conveniently located between Bondi Beach and the Ivy Pool Bar, Sydney FC will usually have first crack at prospective stars but given they already scored the coup of the season with Alessandro Del Piero (and still can’t win), the market has opened up. As a staunch backer of the underdog, it would be lovely to see Becks veer from the beaten path but unfortunately that’s not going to happen because…
What on earth is Posh Spice going to do in Adelaide, or Perth for that matter? Nothing against the fine people from the city of churches, a beautiful city to be sure, but hardly a place to be seen if you’re a former popstar desperate to maintain some sort of cultural relevance. And likewise with the jewel of the west, a city hardly know for it’s pout fest A-list functions. This might come off as east coast head-up-our-arses favoritism but you should just accept it as a backhanded compliment. Your city is just not pretentious enough for Posh Spice. Consider this – A night out for the Beckham family usually involves court side Lakers tickets. Arndale Gold Class is not going to cut it.
“The Adelaide 36rs? You’re funny daddy!”
That leaves Melbourne Heart. Perth Glory might have the money, with cashed up owner Tony Sage indicating that the Beckham signing would be his greatest achievement within the sport, but Melbourne has the infrastructure. In addition to being the (self-dubbed) cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne Heart play out of the 31 000 seat AMMi stadium, dwarfing Adelaide’s Hinsdmarsh Stadium and Perth’s NIB stadium which is currently offering reduced capacity because of an on-going redevelopment. Sage raised the possibility of moving Glory home games to the larger Subiaco Oval but if it’s as simple as just moving venues, than the Heart has Etihad and then the MCG as larger capacity alternatives. Melbourne comes up trumps in all superstar luring departments.
Beckham is not going to single hand-idly win a competition. He’ll be a 10 match marketing campaign and the simple fact is, he needs to be in the commercial markets of Sydney or Melbourne for the game to derive the most benefit. Former England teammate and Newcastle Jets marquee signing Emile Heskey best summed up Beckham’s value. “The MLS in the US – people world-wide
watch and take an interest in the MLS now and that’s because of the influence
of Becks.
