The LA Galaxy WILL NOT Release Beckham From His Contract
Sad news for David Beckham … it appears that his wishes to remain with Italian professional soccer team AC Milan, the team that the LA Galaxy graciously loaned him to while the MLS is on off-season hiatus, will not be honored by his MLS soccer team — the Galaxy has decided NOT to let him out of his contract and will require that he return to the US to play with his team again once his loan out period is completed at the end of March. It would seem the LA Galaxy is much more interested in protecting their massive investment in him rather than comply with his whims to abandon his team for another:
David Beckham is coming back to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The English midfielder will return to the MLS team next month as scheduled after his two-month loan agreement with AC Milan ends despite his wish to stay in Italy. Tim Leiweke, president of Galaxy parent AEG, said Friday the Italian club didn’t make a second offer to the Galaxy to keep Beckham so the team will adhere to MLS commissioner Don Garber’s Friday deadline to resolve the situation. The Galaxy had earlier rejected Milan’s only offer. “We didn’t receive an offer today,” Leiweke told The Associated Press by phone from Colorado. “We will abide by the commissioner’s wishes, so we are clear at this point that we don’t want to have any further conversations.” Leiweke said he had discussions with Milan officials earlier in the week, but heard nothing from them Friday. “They clearly were looking at this as a football decision and we were looking at it as a football and business decision,” he said. “I’m not sure they ever quite understood the magnitude of the losses the Galaxy and the league would have had to bear this season. They were very respectful discussions. We’re fine. There’s no issues here.” Leiweke said he had not spoken directly to Beckham, but that he informed the player’s representatives the loan would not be made permanent. Beckham’s five-year Galaxy contract is owned by MLS, and he is due in the team’s training camp on March 9. “I know David is emotionally invested, but I don’t think Milan really was that interested in spending the money we would have had to receive to compensate us for our losses,” Leiweke said. “We need David to honor the contract and come home and let’s stop the distraction.” Leiweke said Beckham will likely be disappointed by the outcome, but added that “David is a professional. He will get his arms around this and he will come back here.” Beckham had said he wanted to stay with Milan in a bid to play one more World Cup with England in South Africa next year. “He can probably still accomplish that as well by being here in 2009,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said Friday before the resolution was announced. “We look forward to having him back with the club,” Arena said in a statement issued Friday night. Leiweke confirmed that Beckham has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave at the end of this year. “Clearly the risk is we may lose him at the end of the year,” Leiweke said. “Our hope is the team surprises him and we’re a lot better than last year.” Beckham arrived injured amid much hoopla in July 2007, but he had no goals and two assists as the Galaxy finished with a 9-14-7 record that was third-worst in the league. Last season, Beckham had five goals and 10 assists, but the Galaxy’s 8-13-9 record tied for the worst in MLS. Beckham was injured last season, when he left the Galaxy at various times for appearances with England’s national team. Garber said this week he wanted Beckham’s future resolved by Friday or he would not approve any transfer between the two teams. “The negotiations are over and we move on,” Leiweke said. “We look forward to seeing David back in camp. We need to have a good season and we need to live up to a higher expectation.” Leiweke said the Galaxy’s sponsors and season ticket holders were clamoring for a conclusion to the saga. “We heard loud and clear this week from our contractual partners that they wanted an end to this,” he said. “We need to pay a little bit of attention to the league and Galaxy now.” The Galaxy opens the MLS season at home March 22 against D.C. United.
Whew! I’m really glad this ridiculousness is FINALLY over and done with. It absolutely would make NO SENSE for the LA Galaxy to let their investment in David Beckham just leave after they generously loaned him out to another soccer team to play for a couple of months. While Becks may now be interested in playing for AC Milan, he signed a deal to play with the LA Galaxy for a set period of time (and for A LOT of money) and must be held to his contract. I would bet money that Becks will exercise his option to leave the team at the end of this year but, until then, I think it’s deffo in the LA Galaxy’s best interest to hold him to his contract. David Beckham is a professional and I’m sure he will do his best for whichever team he is playing for. AC Milan is currently enjoying the fruits of his talents and soon, the LA Galaxy will enjoy those fruits once again … the way it should be :) I, for one, am thrilled! I am going to make sure I get out to the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA this season to see more Becks in action while I can. Woot!!!
UPDATE: David Beckham is now speaking out about how this action on the part of the LA Galaxy to hold him to his contract is making HIM feel. After the jump, check out his new comments on this contractual tug-o-war situation …
The bottom line is, he is none too happy that his current soccer team is making him honor his contract with them:
David Beckham says life would be “difficult” should he be forced to return to play in Los Angeles. The 33-year-old soccer hunk – on loan from the LA Galaxy to Italy’s AC Milan – has already made clear his desire to continue playing the European circuit. But on Sunday, Beckham confessed that a return to Los Angeles would be awkward. “I’ve said I want to stay here, and if I do go back then it will be a bit difficult, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens,” Beckham told reporters after his AC Milan team was beaten by local rivals Inter Milan, 2-1. Asked if he might see the issue resolved over the next few days, Beckham responded: “I don’t know. It is out of my hands, and they’ll be talking in the next week or two.” Approached by PEOPLE, Beckham’s U.K. rep was unavailable for comment.
As much as I love David Beckham, all this public whining in the press is making him look to me like a spoiled cry-baby brat … calling into question the professionalism that I used to think he had. He totally sounds like a little kid who gets lavished with a big, expensive shiny toy … which he plays with for a while and seems to love and then starts playing with someone else’s toy and wants that one instead. When he doesn’t get what he wants, he throws a tantrum in the middle of the toy store, stamping down his feet saying, But I want it! It’s ridiculous! Own up to your contractual responsibilities. If you’re unhappy with the contract that YOU signed, why are bitching about it to the press as if it was anyone else’s fault but your own? I just don’t get it. Again, I do like the guy but the complaining has got to stop … it’s unsavory and really unattractive.
Tags: AC Milan, David Beckham, The Los Angeles Galaxy
RSS
Feedburner
February 16th, 2009 at 12:43 am
whew! yaaaay I”m glad he is not leaving!! If it wasn’t for him i would never even pay attention to soccer!! Plus its good to know that he will still be hanging around LA which means more photos of him and Posh and most likely more photos of him in less clothing for endorsement deals!! I think there would be a backlash here in North America if he were to abandon his Galaxy team so soon. We are just falling in love with him being here and if he were to leave already would be terrible!!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:17 am
i’m actually saddened reading javajunko’s comment…it expresses exactly why most people want beckham back in the states…to take pictures of him? to see him roam around aimlessly with posh spice? to see him in underwear??? come on! he is a SOCCER PLAYER! can you imagine staying in a club that gives you no satisfaction whatsoever? a club in which you are the only star and all the responsability is on your back only? i don’t know how games are played there in the states but last night for the match inter vs ac milan there were LOADS of people at the stadium and NOT only to cheer for beckham but for the team itself! that’s what is called team unity. that’s what is called professional soccer. whenever i hear la galaxy a only think of beckham. and so does a lot of other people.
it’s really sad. these are the last years beckham will be able to play and he cannot even choose in which team…
February 16th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Trent he’s not coming back. AC Milan have said they don’t recognize the deadline which LA imposed as a “tactic”. I think it’s only a matter of time before an offer is made for the right amount. Beckham might have to chip in for some of it.
LA has nothing to gain with a player who doesn’t want to be on their team, how exactly will they sell the team to the fans?
February 16th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Mari “…and he cannot even choose in which team…” He chose to sign with LA Galaxy. He knew then that US soccer is not football as we know it in Europe. He made a choice, received millions of dollars and he should stick to his promises and contracts.
February 16th, 2009 at 5:54 am
hey anna, i understand that beckham accepted galaxy’s offer gaining millions of dollars…but it’s not like ac milan will not underpay galaxy! they could all settle this down with a check but galaxy is so stubbornly clinging on him still…why? i mean, beckham stayed there for 2 years now and what good did it do to the team? put la galaxy’s name in most gossip columns! nice…la galaxy should just accept any offer ac milan will give…it’s in everyone’s best interest…la galaxy will stop this ridiculous pay of 1 milion dollars per WEEK…milan offered 5 milion per SEASON for beckham which is totally appropriate…it also shows that beckham really wants to play in a more stimulating team…he will lose loads of money if he changes team but he’s willing to do it..(well yeah of course he’ll never have money problems but still…)…my point is that la galaxy should just let him go!
February 16th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Selfishly, I want him to stay here in the States just so I can be closer to him. It makes zero sense, but neither does Miley Cyrus, so there you go. *shrug*
February 16th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I don’t like the fact of Beckham being a part of my favourite club. It angers me that everytime I want to check out stuff of Milan, they only have stuff on Beckham..I believe that the other players are WAY more talented then him and deserve the attention as well. AC Milan was doing fine without him and aren’t losing much. BUT Beckham does look happier to be a part of a club that actually wins and fits better with the other players because they are all professional players and play/have played for the big leagues.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:09 am
OMG are you really comparing David Beckham to Miley Cyrus!!!??? As Mari said he should come back to Europe where he belongs and where the real football is played! Let’s put it this way… can you imagine what it would feel like let say for Leona Lewis if you would put her in a high school choir. I bet that’s what it feels like for Beckham to continue to play in LA Galaxy.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:08 am
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 16th, 2009 at 10:00 am
i agree 100% trent… he is being a huge baby about this whole thing! its making me like him less and less
February 16th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Lara – um, no. I wasn’t comparing Becks to Miley. Damn.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am
If LA Galaxy thinks this whole mess is over, they are SO wrong! He is back to being the football player he once was before selling his soul to Real Madrid, and the italians know it too. They are going to fight back, mark my words.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am
@Kat — Fight back? How? They have no claim on him at all. He has a contract with a team already. Unless the Galaxy decide to let him go, no other team has any say. LOL!
February 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am
NOOOO!!!
This FC Dallas fan says AC Milan can have him! From a purely selfish standpoint, I’m sick of him clogging our stadium with bandwagon fans who root for the Galaxy when they have a home team playing right in front of them.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:41 am
How exactly is him coming back going to help the team, (which is the most important thing)? It’s not just about Beckham the commercial brand, he doesn’t care about that side, he wants to stay in Milan for football reasons.
This will negatively affect the locker room. How do you think some of his teammates who have second jobs just to make do will relate to a teammate who doesn’t want to be there and who also happens to be the highest paid player in league history.
LA is just playing hardball as they should, but they WILL let him go when the right offer comes. The deadline means nothing, it was issued by the league to give LA a strong place to negotiate from.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:49 am
@Vlada — If Milan can afford to buy him away, then so be it. The Galaxy is in a great position, either they get their money from Milan or they get Becks back. Win-Win!
February 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Go back to Milan. LA Galaxy, why would you want to force someone to play for you who has so publicly declared his preference for another team?!?! The whole friggin’ world knows Beckham would be staying against his will. That can’t be good for team morale– in fact it’s insulting. I knew that if Beckham failed at singlehandedly making soccer a nationwide sensation, he would want to bail. I agree that he should be allowed to play where he wants and Jesus, HE SHOULD BUY OUT HIS CONTRACT HIMSELF. He and Posh have the money.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:27 am
He is so unprofessional. As long as the Galaxy can get their money back then I say good riddance to Becks – he knew exactly what he was getting into when he signed the contract with the Galaxy and shouldn’t have done it knowing he prefers playing in Europe. If the Galaxy can’t get their money back then they should keep him no matter how unhappy he is.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Well said, Trent.
Becks, put on your big boy underpants and honor the contract you signed. Either that, or give back the money the LA Galaxy team paid you.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I totally agree with you Trent Becks is used to getting his way if his children like going to school in USA you would think he would make a sacrafice for his children instead of complaining of what he wants think of your kids!
Beck
February 16th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I agree Green is Good. But he’s always been a whiny brat. He and Vicky can put on all the finery they like, but they’re still mules in horse harnesses. I wonder if he stamped his foot when he said all of that. lol
I also have to wonder why it will be “a bit difficult” for him to return to LA. What has he done? Almost sounds like he’s afraid to return. Maybe there’s a new nanny scandal around the corner. hehe
February 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Of course he’s not coming back. Who in their right minds would go back to the MLS when they have a chance at playing in Europe.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
@Tam — someone who is contractually obliged to do so? :) some of y’all are making it sound like the US dragged Becks away from Europe. i seem to recall he happily accepted and singed on the dotted line. LOL, he’s such a baby now.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
The guy’s NOT an 8 year old – HE should understand what “commitment” means & adhere to the terms & conditions of his contract with L.A. until it runs out, THEN he can go wherever he wants. HE WANTED TO BE A CELEBRITY… NOT a “REAL” FOOTBALLER. The team he REALLY belongs with is Madrid, or back to Manchester United, NOT in America. Really, Europeans UNDERSTAND soccer – Americans don’t.
-
If Beckham really WANTS to go to Milan instead of remaining with the Galaxy team, HE should buy out his contract, NOT Milan. They didn’t make the mistake, BECKHAM DID. I’m sure he can well afford whatever amount of “compensation” L.A. Galaxy wants, go to Milan… But maybe he just wants to be “fought over” & attend more red carpet events with Posh.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
He should stay but not be able to play. If he wants to act liked a spoiled little crybaby they he deserves a litle “time-out”.He was brought here in the hopes that his popularity would spread out and become a general popularity for US soccer but he failed on that count. Maybe that’s why he’s apprehensive about coming back. That and the fact that maybe he’s afraid his teammates will beat him up in the locker room for bashing the team.LOL
February 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Meh, whiny or not, he’s still shagworthy.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Trent this happens in football all the time. The 2 teams just have to reach an agreement, it’s really not a big deal. All this over reaction is pretty amusing.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
LA Galaxy should have never allowed him to go on loan. Or at the very least they should’ve just let him train with Arsenal like he did last year. It’s like offering an “former” alcoholic a drink and then trying to take it away after a few sips – it’s damn hard for that person to let go. Same thing here. Yes David knew what he was getting into but to tell him “yes we’re gonna let you play somewhere else and expect you not to love it! not to love playing ACTUAL football with GOOD footballers just like you! don’t get to attached now!”. Bad call on the LA Galaxy. I knew from the get-go he was going to get attached and he does this because he knows it’s going to keep his spot on the England roster, which is all he cares about (and good for him too). Some of you don’t know football and should honestly be quiet about things you don’t know about and p.s. those “250 million dollars” are NOT what the LA Galaxy paid for him. That’s with his endorsements in there too, which was a way to build up the hype over Beckham in the first place. P.P.S. A much hotter guy is coming to America and his name is Freddie Ljungberg.
February 16th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
OMG…I love you Trent but you have no idea what you are talking about…like most Americans you have no idea what Football is all about.
First off…yes Becks is under contract but no where near the $250 million deal everyone talks about. Its $50 million over 5 years plus incentives that COULD make it worth $250 million. Second the Galaxy turned down an offer of about $13 million which would have paid off most of the $20 million Becks has been paid. They and the MLS have already made their money back three times over, for example Herbalife actually paid $20 million for the right to sponser the Galaxy shirts after Becks signed. He also has a walkout clause after the third season. Which means force him to come back, but he will get paid and then leave for nothing this summer. He is actually doing the Galaxy a favour by telling them he isn’t coming back. It is total nonsense calling him unprofessional. He was asked a simple question and gave an honest answer. He never said he wouldn’t come back. If you cant handle the fact he hates playing in the MLS that’s your problem. I don’t hear anyone complaining about Landon Donavon not wanting to come back. Face it..the Galaxy are a crap side, in a second rate league.The powers that be that run the MLS are second rate as well. What type of owner would want to bring back an obviously unhappy employee, when there is someone willing to take him off your hands. Use the money to make the whole team better. But i’m sure you ‘fans’ will be asking for season ticket refunds, because you weren’t fans in the first place.
February 16th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I was under the impression that he moved to LA to further soccer in the USA (at the tail end of his soccer career) … and because Victoria wanted to make a new life/career with the Hollywood set in LA. It seems a bit insulting to LA to say “Right, were off now” … For two people who are so image conscious, this has been handled really badly.
February 16th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
@Football Fan — LOL! Ok ;)
February 16th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
I don’t think Milan will put up the money to keep Beckham. The Galaxy is looking not only to help their team (which was abysmal last season) but the MLS as a whole, this would be enough money to bring in more talented players than the MLS has at the present. He’ll probably wait until this year is over and catch the first flight out. The MLS will lose a lot of money in ticket sales if he leaves before then. AC Milan is going to have to fork over a small bailouts worth of money… so much so it’ll probably be offensive.
As for players whining about their teams, it happens all the time. Players want to win, LA is not a winning team.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Honestly Trent. I think you’re the baby who’s bitching and whining. Do you honestly feel that a soccerplayer who doesn’t feel well with his current team should be obliged to stay and play there? He’ll be no use for anyone in these circumstances. You just want him to stay so you can relish on his tight ass.
Sure, he’s got a contract, and yeah, he got shitloads of cash for it. But if the man feels he’ll do better in another team, let him feel that way. He’s been pretty shit with LA Galaxy, and he’s finally doing well again in Europe. I’d be tempted to leave my current team as well.
You obviously have no clue about soccer.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:54 am
oh, and I know I come off pretty harsh and arrogant. I really didn’t mean to offend you Trent.
February 17th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I don’t understand this patronizing view of American’s understanding of football or soccer. What is the point of signing a contract if a player can do and go where they feel like? Sports are brands and other people’s jobs are on the line besides just Beckham’s..
February 17th, 2009 at 7:49 am
oh really, could you please explain which other jobs would be on the line if Beckham should leave?
February 17th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
@ Trent – I don’t know, they’re sneaky ;) but they’ve done it before…
February 17th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
well this is kinda the way football (soccer) works in Europe. a lot of big name players move to less-than-glamorous clubs because of the money, and they soon lose interest in playing with a team that isn’t of their standard. the hope is always that they’ll catch the eye of another team, get there on loan first and then show how much they fit in with the team so that they can get in. you’ve got to admit it’s hard for these good players to play with team mates that are obviously way below their standard, even though the monetary aspect can be very shady and unethical.
February 17th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I love David and he’s hot but I just don’t like the idea of having a soccer (football) player who doesn’t want to be here. I don’t like forced things.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I agree Becks has been completely unprofessional speaking out before any official decision is finalized about him moving (if moving to Milan even was happening). He should have known better than to open his big mouth to the media about wanting to play for Milan. It makes him look like a spoiled brat and just embarrassed everyone.. but mostly the Galaxy! He shouldn’t have taken the lucrative offer in the first place that was all about money with a pipe dream of making soccer more popular. I’m so tired of hearing about him and the crappy Galaxy. He should play out his obligations and be happy with his millions til he moves back to Europe. At least let his publicists speak for him..