Why I’ll (Sometimes) Continue to Dis “Brand Beckham”

A comment from reader Howard, echoed by several others, which I think deserves an audience wider than it would get in a a comment response:

Laurie, I enjoy reading your blog and agree with you on a lot of topics, especially your remarks regarding how impossible it is to get information from the Galaxy. However, I totally disagree with you on this issue. I think it’s too cynical of you to say that the Beckhams are raising money for children via their charity in order to gain attention for themselves. If I want to read comments like this I would pick up any of the multitude of trashy magazines that cater to this type of journalism. I know it’s hard to come up with articles to write about when the Galaxy only gives you scraps of information, but Laurie you’re better than this. Keep the great soccer info coming and leave the smack talking to all those other Beckham haters.

First off, I want to say how much I appreciate people who take the time to express their opinions in the comments section. I love to hear your thoughts on what I write, whether or not you agree with what I have to say. And I particularly value folks who can express their dissenting opinions without getting nasty about it. Thank you!

Now, about those Beckhams. I want to start with this: I actually like David Beckham. I find him kind of endearing. I think he used to be a bit overrated as a player, but now I think he’s underrated, even given his age. I’d love to see the MLS Designated Player experiment be a huge success on all levels, leading to something resembling MLS profitability, a living wage for all players, and perhaps even Beckham’s return to the England NT.

However, I am a huge non-fan of “Brand Beckham,” both the Becks and Posh versions. (Although I’ve always gotten the feeling that for David it’s just a fun diversion. For Posh it seems to be a life. But then again, I could be wrong.) I define “Brand Beckham” as: The Beckham-related entity which seems to live life with a desperate need to bend down and slurp at any teat from which it feels it can suck money and publicity.

(And admit it. Part of you is thinking: EWWW! Unnecessarily disgusting imagery! And part of you is thinking: Wow. That’s disturbingly accurate.)

And yet I also recognize that this is more complicated than a simple good/bad. There may be some positive aspects of “Brand Beckham.” I think that no player in the world can provide MLS with what Beckham can. I’m not necessarily talking about soccer skills here, but about his mastery of the PR machine. MLS has a lot of talented players, but it doesn’t have anybody else who can bring this kind of attention. So I recognize that it wouldn’t be wise to completely destroy the things I find offensive. Yet it’s not in my nature to let them go unnoticed, either.

I realize that not every player can be (or should be) my favorite player, the brilliant and socially aware France and Barcelona defender Lilian Thuram. But I also don’t think it would hurt most players, especially European players and most especially “Brand Beckham,” to be just a teensy bit less shallow, self-absorbed, materialistic, and publicity- and money-obsessed.

How much of David Beckham is the endearing and talented “David Beckham” and how much is “Brand Beckham”? I have no idea. If you think I lean too far one way or another in what I write, please feel free to provide me with links and information that supports your point of view, and I will try to present the other side.

And Howard and Diane and everybody else who provides opposing thoughts? Thanks for writing. I read and value what you have to say.

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