By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
April 12 – David Beckham’s injury will have a big negative impact on Major League Soccer (MLS) this season but will not prevent it from continuing to pursue its ambition of becoming one of the major competitions in world football, its head promised today.
Don Garber, the MLS Commissioner, admitted in an interview published on Sports Illustrated’s website that Beckham’s absence because of the Achilles injury that will also keep him out of this year’s World Cup in South Africa would affect the whole League not just his club, Los Angeles Galaxy.
Garber told Sports Illustrated: ”David’s presence on the field affects all aspects of the Galaxy’s business and the league’s business.
“It’s all fairly obvious, from ticket sales to sponsorship to merchandise.
“It’s heartbreaking when a guy has a devastating injury and can’t achieve his dreams.
“And I feel first for that, because David has been a great member of this league and he’ll be a major part of our history.
“We certainly hope he comes back, and if he does we’ll be able to benefit from that.
“We’re hoping he gets healthy soon.”
The MLS, which recently started his 15th season, nevertheless is still on course to become one of the world’s biggest leagues, claimed Garber (pictured).
He told Sports Illustrated: ”It’s a growing and committed fan base.
“It’s the proper facilities, not just for games but for training.
“It’s professionally run and well-respected, successful youth academies.
“It’s having more popularity and more revenue and therefore being able to invest more in players at all levels.
“If all of those things happen, I have no doubt that this league will be able to rise to the upper echelons of pro soccer leagues in the world.
“I can’t even begin to think of when that will be, but I believe it will ultimately happen.
“There is no way any of our owners are thinking that they’re looking to own a secondary professional sports league.
“They own NFL teams, NBA teams, baseball teams and hockey teams.
“They’re not looking to own a secondary soccer league.
“They want to make this a primary, well-respected, dominant league.
“That’s going to take careful planning, a focused strategy and time.”
To read the full interview click here.
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