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ENTERTAINMENT / Gossip
Beckham-mania takes root in California, and beyond
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-25 09:02
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Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham waves beside his wife Victoria at a
party
at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles July 22, 2007.[Reuters]
David Beckham has already made a significant splash since arriving in
America's entertainment capital, despite being restricted to a brief
debut for his new team because of a lingering ankle injury.
The 32-year-old, one of the most recognizable figures in the game, has
triggered unprecedented fan interest at Los Angeles Galaxy while making
serious inroads into the glitzy showbiz world of Hollywood.
The England midfielder lit up the Home Depot Center on Saturday when he
finally came on as a substitute for the Galaxy in an exhibition match
against FA Cup holders Chelsea.
Although Beckham was on the field for only 12 minutes, plus four minutes
of stoppage time, every move he made sparked an eruption of cheers from
the capacity crowd of 27,000.
The match, which ended in a 1-0 win for Chelsea, attracted a record
television audience for a match involving an Major League Soccer team on
ESPN of around 1.47 million. Roughly one percent of homes with ESPN tuned
in to watch the action.
One of soccer's most marketable players during his time with Manchester
United and Real Madrid, Beckham has already made his number 23 Galaxy
shirt the biggest seller in the game.
TAKING ROOT
More than 200,000 replica shirts were snapped up by fans last week as
Beckham-mania took root in Southern California and beyond.
"We have never come across anything like it," Chris McGuire, sports
marketing manager for adidas soccer, said in a statement.
"At this time, the LA Galaxy David Beckham jersey is the No.1-selling
shirt in the world."
While Beckham's popularity with the fans appears to be soaring to new
heights at the start of his American Adventure, he is also making waves
in Tinseltown.
David and his pop star wife Victoria enjoyed a head start as they live in
a $22 million Beverly Hills mansion not too far from close friends Tom
Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes.
The Cruises gave the Beckhams plenty of advice before their move from
Madrid to Los Angeles and co-hosted an invitation-only, celebrity party
for the English couple on Sunday.
Also hosted by Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith, the party was held
at the Museum of Contemporary Art and attracted film stars such as Bruce
Willis, Jim Carrey, Eva Longoria, Wesley Snipes, Demi Moore and Ashton
Kutcher.
Beckham's long-awaited debut for the Galaxy on Saturday also pulled in
the celebrities with Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S.
actress Jennifer Love Hewitt and English actors John Hurt and Ray
Winstone in the crowd.
MOST COMFORTABLE
For all the hoopla and hype that have surrounded Beckham's much-trumpeted
move to Major League Soccer, he is most comfortable when out on the pitch
with his team mates.
"I just want to be part of the team," he said after being formally
introduced as a Galaxy player.
"The other stuff that surrounds me and that comes with me as a player, I
believe I have always handled in the right way. I've always been in
football to play football."
More than anyone, Beckham knows his honeymoon period is all but over and
that, swollen left ankle permitting, there is much work to be done.
"I don't think I've ever had a more extraordinary year in my life than
this one and this last week has been truly one of the most remarkable,"
he said.
"The attention has been immense, not on just the Galaxy and LA as a city
but on me and my family. It's been incredible.
"But this is where the hard work starts. It's not just about getting the
fans here for an exhibition game, it's about getting them here every time
we play. It'll be a long process but it's one I'm looking forward to."
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