Wahl (2007) discussed the influence of David Beckham in
America and the impact he had on soccer in American society. I found this
article interesting because we just had a World Cup this past summer and it
seems that soccer in America is so different than it was even as little as
three years ago.
Personally, I know nothing about the game of soccer. I
actually did not even know that the MLS was a professional soccer organization
until David Beckham was announced as signing with the LA Galaxy. Although, I still
do not know much about the game itself, today, I am much more aware our
societies growing love of the game of soccer.
When I think of soccer in America currently I think of
nationalism. We are proud to have a soccer team. We fill stadiums at MLS games.
I recently heard on ESPN that the MLS is third when it comes to average
attendance among professional sports in America. Soccer has a higher game
attendance than the NBA. The MLS is growing constantly. The influence that
David Beckham had on bringing the spotlight to American soccer was huge.
Unfortunately, in America it takes a celebrity to do
something to make another thing popular. For example, let’s take Ray Rice and
domestic violence. We know that domestic violence has been occurring since
about forever, but there has not been a public discussion on the topic on this
large of a scale ever. We need celebrities to do something in order for us to
talk about it. Beckham made talking and watching soccer an okay thing to do in
America. It no longer became a foreigner’s game.
I also think that David Beckham was one of the first
athletes in the US that broke through masculine barriers. He is what some call
metrosexual and he created a new masculinity in America. Cashmore and Parker (2003)
discussed how he transcended norms in a positive way. Beckham changed not only
the popularity of soccer in America, but also what being a masculine man can
look like in America.
Campbell,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts because mine are very similar. I do not know much about soccer except the rules. I played for 10 years but my love to play the game does not transfer to love of watching other people play the game.
It is interesting to watch the differences of American soccer over the years. we seem to be really involved during the World Cup but recently I think the exposure has created a bigger fan base in America.
I also agree with you when you say that David Beckham broke through barriers. He represents sport in a different way. Male image in sport has always been rough and tumble and he does not portray that image. He is very "metrosexual" and I believe to be seen as a fashion icon. I know him from the cover of magazines and for marrying Posh spice better than him as a soccer player
Maddy
Campbell,
ReplyDeleteI also am not too familiar with the game of soccer, but I know that its popularity in America is increasing by the years. I found it shocking that MLS has a higher attendance per game than the NBA. I decided to look up that statistics. In America, NFL is number one, followed by the MLB. MLS is third followed by the NHL and then NBA. I agree with you that it sometimes takes a big star or celebrity for change to happen or for things to be talked about. David Beckham is one of the catalysts for soccer in America. I don’t follow soccer, but I had just assumed that David Beckham was a amazing player. It was shocking to hear from our peers that he was just an average player. From the outside looking in, I know he was a glorified athlete because his face was everywhere. I saw him in magazine ads and all throughout media. It’s interesting to learn that he was more famous for his moves off the field. Nonetheless, he has transcended the game of soccer in America and has brought some positive light on MLS. Good Post.
-David
Cam,
ReplyDeleteDavid Beckham is overall one of the most overrated players on the field in my opinion. Yes, Beckham has helped changed the face of soccer here in the United States, but I am still not the biggest fan. I idolized him when I was a young player simply because of the way he could bend the ball. It is one of the most difficult skills to learn to be halfway decent at let alone master. He is, however, impressive off the field, but a disappointment when he steps on it.
I grew up playing soccer my entire life, but will not watch a game until I am physically at the stadium. I believe that this is honestly because of the way soccer is filmed, which portrays it as slower than what it really is. It is also filmed further away. I believe that soccer would become more popular overall if it were filmed differently. Maybe this is why MLS has more fans in the seats than in the NBA as a whole, because at least the NBA games are still engaging and entertaining when watching live.
Cam,
ReplyDeleteIn the sense of American masculinity views, I have to completely agree with you. David Beckham is much of what we view as metrosexual, which has only recently been seen as version of masculinity in our country. He was one of the first athletes that I can remember portraying that style, both in America and of my knowledge of international athletes (which at the time was pretty small.) However, I had a little different viewpoint than most American youths at the time. My dad is actually from England, and I have siblings who live in England, so I was able to see some of that culture through them. My siblings and dad do not follow that particular vein of European masculinity, and are somewhat similar to the American view of it, but I did travel to England three times in my younger years and was able to see some of the differences in our cultures. Because of this little bit of insight that I had, I have never really seen metrosexuality, or the other descriptors of European masculinity, as non-masculine. I tend to favor the European side slightly; things like the build Beckham, his style, and soccer as a sport are things that I consider "masculine." I don't really think of things like this in everyday thought, but when sitting down to think in a situation like this I can easily see how my upbringing has effected these thoughts.
Joey Durant