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Beckham Could Leave LA After 2009 Season
A previously undisclosed clause in David Beckham's contract could see the England star depart the Home Depot Center two years earlier than expected.
Nov 4, 2008 10:21:29 AM
When English megastar David Beckham signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy
for the 2007 season, it was reported that the deal was for five years.
That would’ve most likely taken him to the end of his career, as he
would be 36 at the end of the 2011 season.
But now it looks as if the former Real Madrid man, who will start a loan spell with AC Milan in January, could be on his way out of the Home Depot Center two years early. SportsIllustrated.com’s Grant Wahl reported this week that there is an “out” clause in his contract with the Galaxy that could allow Beckham to opt out of the final two years of his contract.
This would obviously have a massive effect on MLS, on LA, and on Beckham. When he first signed with the Galaxy, the deal reportedly had the potential to total $250 million over the five years. The playing portion of that astronomical number was $32.5 million. The rest would come through sponsorship deals, jersey sales, and, as Goal.com suggested when he was first signed and as 60 Minutes’s Anderson Cooper confirmed, the opportunity to purchase an MLS club after his playing days were finished.
But an early departure would greatly diminish most of those potentialities. Would there be penalties for potential incomes not earned? Would the ownership clause still be honored?
Beckham, amid the media frenzy over his loan move to Milan, last week reiterated his pledge to his current club. “My commitment is still to the Galaxy,” he said, “and that’s not changed.”
He is due to begin his loan with Milan on January 7. During his San Siro stay, reportedly set for two months, the Rossoneri will pay his salary, which prorates to roughly $1 million. He has said he is joining Milan in order to stay fit during the MLS offseason so he can remain eligible for the England national team.
But certainly the Galaxy’s dismal results and performance since Beckham’s arrival have played a role in his sudden desire to join another club. Since his joining LA, the side has missed the playoffs twice and is on its third coach. Despite having MLS Golden Boot winner Landon Donovan and US international Eddie Lewis, a 12-game winless streak punctuated the team’s futility in the second half of the 2008 season.
-- Goal.com
Discuss David Beckham in the new Goal.com Forums.
But now it looks as if the former Real Madrid man, who will start a loan spell with AC Milan in January, could be on his way out of the Home Depot Center two years early. SportsIllustrated.com’s Grant Wahl reported this week that there is an “out” clause in his contract with the Galaxy that could allow Beckham to opt out of the final two years of his contract.
This would obviously have a massive effect on MLS, on LA, and on Beckham. When he first signed with the Galaxy, the deal reportedly had the potential to total $250 million over the five years. The playing portion of that astronomical number was $32.5 million. The rest would come through sponsorship deals, jersey sales, and, as Goal.com suggested when he was first signed and as 60 Minutes’s Anderson Cooper confirmed, the opportunity to purchase an MLS club after his playing days were finished.
But an early departure would greatly diminish most of those potentialities. Would there be penalties for potential incomes not earned? Would the ownership clause still be honored?
Beckham, amid the media frenzy over his loan move to Milan, last week reiterated his pledge to his current club. “My commitment is still to the Galaxy,” he said, “and that’s not changed.”
He is due to begin his loan with Milan on January 7. During his San Siro stay, reportedly set for two months, the Rossoneri will pay his salary, which prorates to roughly $1 million. He has said he is joining Milan in order to stay fit during the MLS offseason so he can remain eligible for the England national team.
But certainly the Galaxy’s dismal results and performance since Beckham’s arrival have played a role in his sudden desire to join another club. Since his joining LA, the side has missed the playoffs twice and is on its third coach. Despite having MLS Golden Boot winner Landon Donovan and US international Eddie Lewis, a 12-game winless streak punctuated the team’s futility in the second half of the 2008 season.
-- Goal.com
Discuss David Beckham in the new Goal.com Forums.
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