Los Angeles, CA - When David Beckham begins his much anticipated career with the Los Angeles Galaxy in July 2007, young soccer players from all across the U.S. will be watching. Included in that bunch will be thousands of African-American kids whose limited exposure to the world's most popular sport, may be impacted by his stardom and presence.

David Beckham has been a superstar in Europe since age 17 when he signed with Premier League powerhouse Manchester United in 1992. He soon achieved rock star status with lucrative endorsement deals, a movie-star image, a high-profile marriage to Victoria Adams, better known as "Posh Spice" of the Spice Girls -- and oh yeah -- his ability to deliver a devastating free-kick that can curl around an Alabama barn.

One of the world's most recognized and successful soccer icons, Beckham currently plays for Real Madrid and the England National football team. In July 2007, his Major League Soccer debut will be greeted with high expectations and an eye on the future of soccer in the U.S.

For many young aspiring African-American soccer players, and especially for those who know nothing about the sport -- Beckham's presence could change the popularity of the game. Soccer has always lagged behind "The Big Three" (football, baseball, basketball), and even fails to draw crowds comparable to those attending hockey games. But entering its 12th season, MLS is experiencing a period of expansion and they're hoping the Beckham Factor will further propel that growth.

With companies like Nike®, Reebok®, EASports®, and Gatorade® pairing with famed athletes such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Payton Manning, and Alex Rodriguez -- the potential to reach the African-American audience is huge. Sports franchises and their accompanying leagues learned decades ago that media attention and branding by athletes means more exposure and bigger revenues.

Beckham's influence in the U.S. soccer market could have the same effect Tiger Woods had when he entered a stagnant golf profession back in the mid 90's. The surge in youth interest pushed the golfing industry to another level and its position in sports and media marketing grew exponentially. Among those new interests, were thousands of African-American kids who had never seen a 7-iron, or stepped onto a golf course.

The interest in soccer among Blacks in the U.S. could certainly see a growth spurt as media outlets take aim at kids who may be unfamiliar with the game. There may also be increased awareness of international soccer athletes who play in the U.S. and abroad; and it may boost interest in the FIFA World Cup, which has a die-hard following of millions throughout the rest of the world. When African-American kids begin latching on to stars like Germany's Michael Ballack, Brazil's Ronaldinho, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo -- we will begin to see the true impact of the Beckham Factor.

Each year, we spend millions on jerseys, jackets, athletic gear, shoes, and sports video games -- with only a small portion being related to "futbol" -- or "soccer" in the U.S.. With African-American youth soccer being virtually an untapped market -- those numbers may grow when Beckham's popularity shows up on billboards and in commercials.

MLS soccer may never be as large or as lucrative as the NBA or NFL, but a superstar like David Beckham will certainly bring a new, larger-than-life attitude to the U.S. sports scene.

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