Beckham Business

I want it to work. I really do. But I don't think it will. At least, not to the degree enthusiasts are hoping for. 

I'm talking about David Beckham's goal to popularize American professional soccer.

Beckham has a long and successful career as a European football player. That's football, as in soccer. He's won titles for Manchester United, perhaps the most famous sports franchise in the world. He's captained England's World Cup teams. He most recently played for Real Madrid in Spain.

Now he's come to conquer America-- or at least, to energize a sport that has gone mostly unnoticed here for more than three decades. But even Beckham has his doubts. He won't admit it, but read between the lines at his Los Angeles press conference, when he said:

"I think it, potentially, in the States, soccer could be as big as everywhere else in the world."

Doesn't sound like a guarantee.

Professional soccer's always had potential here. Pele helped in the 1970s. But for the most part, pro soccer in the United States has been a flop. I've shared a Guiness or two with football fans in Ireland; watched German football on television in Munich; and I've seen Italians celebrate their World Cup title. I'd love to share the passion here, but it won't happen.

We've already got Super Bowls, Indy 500s and two World Series (baseball and freakin' poker). There's only so much passion to go around.

Beckham was hired to market the game in the USA-- not necessarily play it. He is now the poster boy for the MLS-- but is anyone really looking?