Don Garber defended David Beckham in an interview with Jeff Carlisle, who asked the MLS Commissioner if the Beckham deal hasbeen everything Garber hoped for considering the Englishman has either been away on loan or injured for significant chunks of time that he’s been contracted to play in MLS:
“I’m not quitesure I knew what it would be when we signed him, other than create tremendous excitement for the league, and explode our awareness, and even our credibility, both here and abroad. And it’s done that,”said Garber.
That is measured, Garber said, “By the level of respect that the international football community has for MLS, because they are able to see all of the developments in theleague. And also we have somebody like [Beckham] who is being chased by Tottenham and is playing for the L.A. Galaxy. I continue to scratch my head when people question where David Beckham is in hiscareer. He had a top EPL side challenging for the Champions League trying to sign [him]. He’s good enough for Tottenham. Why isn’t he good enough for MLS?
“It’s one of those things thatastounds me. Would I prefer that he not go out on loan during that time? Of course I would. That’s not something we’re shy about telling David or saying publicly. But it was part of our need toaddress the fact that we have a schedule that is very different from the rest of the world players.”
For those that are interested, Don Garber revealed a bit too much of himself in this interview. At almost every question, Garber reaches deep into his wheelhouse and what does he come up with – marketing. What do MLS teams need to do to improve attendance? Hire knowledgeable marketing heads. How can MLS attract EPL and La Liga fans? Market MLS better. Marketing, Don, CAN NOT get us out this mess. It will only put a pretty costume on it. Don is a good but not great MLS chief. The leave needs someone who can run a struggling business entity and that person is not a Barça youth coach. My issue is that Garber doesn’t grasp the biggest problem his league faces ( fans don’t care how tough our teams are Don, we want them to be skilled. Ask Scotland how happy they are with their tough as nails league.) even worse, though, is that Gulati and Garber control about 80 percent of the important decisions in USSF. If you knew nothing about youth development, would you rule with an iron fist and pretend you could figure it out? Or call up as many people as you thought could help and ask them to come aboard? Gulati has to go.
For those that are interested, Don Garber revealed a bit too much of himself in this interview. At almost every question, Garber reaches deep into his wheelhouse and what does he come up with – marketing. What do MLS teams need to do to improve attendance? Hire knowledgeable marketing heads. How can MLS attract EPL and La Liga fans? Market MLS better. Marketing, Don, CAN NOT get us out this mess. It will only put a pretty costume on it. Don is a good but not great MLS chief. The leave needs someone who can run a struggling business entity and that person is not a Barça youth coach. My issue is that Garber doesn’t grasp the biggest problem his league faces ( fans don’t care how tough our teams are Don, we want them to be skilled. Ask Scotland how happy they are with their tough as nails league.) even worse, though, is that Gulati and Garber control about 80 percent of the important decisions in USSF. If you knew nothing about youth development, would you rule with an iron fist and pretend you could figure it out? Or call up as many people as you thought could help and ask them to come aboard? Gulati has to go.