“He Was Our Michael Jordan, Our Wayne Gretzky” – ‘Transformational’ David Beckham’s Impact on MLS Likened to NBA and NHL Legends by Commissioner Back in 2017

The co-owner of MLS club Inter Miami, David Beckham, shocked the soccer world in 2007 when he announced the MLS transfer. He was playing for Spanish giants, Real Madrid, at the time. Leaving one of the best soccer clubs for the lowly MLS was a courageous decision. Moreover, he also took a 70% pay cut to complete the move to the MLS club. 

However, his move to MLS was a great initiative for the unpopular league then. Beckham has been a prominent soccer icon, and his popularity helped the league in many ways. His move paved the way for many soccer stars to join the MLS in the final years of their career. The impact of the former England captain made the MLS commissioner compare him to the NBA and NHL greats.

MLS commissioner once compared David Beckham to great athletes

Back in 2017, when Beckham was all set to launch his MLS franchise, the MLS commissioner heaped praise on the soccer legend. Don Garber labeled Beckham as transformational for the MLS. According to Garber, Beckham was amongst the few players who could single-handedly drive soccer growth in the US, and he did the same, first at LA Galaxy as a player and then as an Inter Miami co-owner. 

Garber said, “Wayne Gretzky was a transformational figure for the National Hockey League. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson were transformational players who took the NBA from what it was to what it is today in many ways. David was today for us, where we are now, that transformational player.”

“He was our Michael Jordan, our Wayne Gretzky. He was the guy who came here and basically said: ‘It’s okay, this league is all right — it’s not the Premier League, but that’s okay,'” Garber added. MLS commissioner also thought that the former Manchester United legend will prove to be a great owner too. He also believed that putting a $25m expansion clause in his LA Galaxy contract was the right decision. 

Beckham played a masterstroke with the LA Galaxy contract

Despite taking a 70% pay cut for joining LA Galaxy, David Beckham pocketed way more than the $6.5 million salary. He included two brilliant clauses in his contract before signing for the MLS club. MLS also made everything possible to land the superstar.

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The first clause was a percentage of all team revenue, from merchandise, tickets, and sponsorships, to beer sold during the game. The second clause was the $25 million for the expansion club in the future. It was the first clause that made Beckham the highest earner in the MLS, and he even earned much more than what he used to earn at Real Madrid. 

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However, his impact on the revenues, attendance, and TV deals made the MLS commissioner compare him to the likes of Michael Jordan for the impact on making the sport popular in the US. Sound off your thoughts on the comments of Don Garber on David Beckham.