Changing The Game: David Beckham's impact on Major League Soccer

From the GQ Man of the Year Awards, Calvin Klein billboard campaigns, and endless magazine covers, David Beckham is easily one of the biggest male icons of the last 30 years.

In a life so impactful on fashion and business, Beckham's major impact came in the United States, where he transcended the sport of football after his move to Los Angeles.

Prior to his move to the States, David Beckham was a part of two European football giants – Manchester United and Real Madrid.

In his stints with Real Madrid and the 'Red Devils,' the midfielder won 14 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

After his almighty success in Europe, according to sportskeeda.com, David Beckham signed a five-year $32.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

Beckham was the first big name to play football in Major League Soccer since its inaugural season in 1996.

According to sportskeeda.com, the footballing idol was the first player in MLS history to be signed under the designated player rule, formerly known as 'The Beckham Rule'.

According to Sportskeeda.com, the rule meant that Beckham's salary would not count against LA Galaxy's salary cap. In 2016 the number of such players rose to 50.

With an astronomic salary and the whole world watching, Beckham's playing career on the West Coast glittered with honours.

In his five-year spell with 'The Galaxy', Beckham won 13 individual and team honours, including two MLS Cups, two Best MLS Players Awards, and two Supporters Shields.

With the first European star arriving on US shores, the financial impact was always going to be through the roof.

According to The Independent, in the time period 'Becks' played in the MLS, the league had grown from 12 – 19 teams and there had been a 231% increase in merchandise sales.

Franchise expansion fees had grown from $10 million to $40 million and the value of media coverage also shot up with 157 different countries broadcasting his final game against the Houston Dynamo, according to The Independent.

Since Beckham's arrival in the US, some of Europe's biggest football icons have followed the same path as 'DB7'.

Since Beckham's retirement players such as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and currently Javier Hernandez have all played at LA Galaxy.

According to the dailymail.co.uk, David Beckham had an option of buying an MLS expansion franchise at a fixed sum of $25 million dollars in his contract at LA Galaxy.

According to celebritynetworth.com, in 2014 'DB7' created the Beckham Brands Holding Group with business partner Simon Fuller to financially set up Inter Miami FC.

Since the club started competing in 2020, Inter Miami has struggled to make an impact, finishing 19th, 20th, and 12^th overall in their opening three league campaigns.

Although results have been poor, Beckham has had no trouble attracting big names to the franchise. This includes – Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi from Juventus and former Premier League players Ryan Shawcross, Kieran Gibbs, and DeAndre Yedlin – and of course Lionel Messi.

According to cbc.ca, MLS commissioner Don Garber said, "I don't think anybody would doubt that he has over-delivered on every one of those measures. He was an unbelievable ambassador for the league, for the Galaxy."