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That broad appeal is no accident. It builds on Beckham’s football legacy in America.
Part of Manchester United’s treble-winning team in 1999, England captain and one of Real Madrid’s galaticos, he remains a trademark hitter.
Major League Soccer executive vice president and chief communications officer Dan Courtemanche acknowledged Beckham’s impact on the game in America can’t be overstated.
“I always tell people that he changed the destiny of American soccer. Not once, but twice,” he said.
When Beckham signed for the LA Galaxy 19 years ago, Major League Soccer stadiums sold out before he could even play a game.
The league needed credibility and gave it something more: mainstream popularity.
Sixteen years later, Beckham helped convince Argentine icon Messi to choose Inter Miami over competing international offers — another MLS-changing moment, Courtemanche said.
“Lionel Messi has chosen Major League Soccer as the league and Inter Miami has decided to make it his choice,” he said. “He took us to another level.”
La Galaxy president and chief operating officer Tom Brown said Beckham’s influence extends beyond soccer.
“David is an icon in our sport and our culture,” he explained.
“He built a business around the brand and it continues to resonate with people.”
In the year The evolution of the 51-year-old, who played for AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain before retiring in 2013, is perhaps best illustrated on Hollywood Boulevard this summer.
Accepting his star on the Hall of Fame, Beckham reflected that he never thought the “working-class English footballer” would receive such an honour.
The recognition honored not only Beckham’s life as a footballer, but Beckham as a cultural figure.
“David Beckham is going to the World Cup for America,” Jones said.
“He is football for us.”
After arriving in Los Angeles promising to raise his game, Beckham is still helping to sell soccer to America.
Only now, it’s by brand rather than by penalty.
