glowrock
Jan 26, 2007, 6:07 PM
Well, it looks like Denver's got this year's MLS (Major League Soccer, for those who could usually care less about anything not NBA/NFL/NHL/MLB :D) All Star Game... And of course, now with Beckham part of MLS, it looks like it might actually be a popular game! :)
I guess new stadiums tend to do that, they attract special games like all star games... Heh
Aaron (Glowrock)
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Denver to host 2007 MLS All-Star game
posted by: Jeffrey Wolf , Web Producer
created: 1/25/2007 4:38:43 PM
Last updated: 1/25/2007 9:24:08 PM
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DENVER (AP) - Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis can't hold any conversation without David Beckham's name surfacing.
It's all Beckham, all the time. Not that he minds. He's become well-versed in the subject of Beckham. After announcing Thursday afternoon the MLS All-Star game this season will be held in Denver on July 19, Gazidis knew the first question would be whether Beckham was eligible for the game.
Beckham, who agreed this month to a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS, was expected to be free of his Real Madrid contract July 1.
"If he's available, he will be available to be selected (for the All-Star game)," Gazidis said. "There's two commissioner's picks. I leave you to speculate whether he'll get selected."
The Rapids certainly wouldn't mind seeing the international star come to town for the game. He's already had a tremendous impact on ticket sales, and the full MLS schedule isn't even out yet. The club sold 60 season tickets to its new, soccer-only stadium, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, within 30 minutes of the Beckham announcement.
"That's a $20,000 bump in revenue just like that," Colorado's vice president and managing director Jeff Plush said. "He's still a great player. He's very good for our sport."
The All-Star game will match the MLS All-Stars against Celtic FC, the top team in the Scottish Premier League. The MLS All-Stars beat another renown international team, Chelsea FC, 1-0, in last season's game.
"We used to do the East vs. West format. Then suddenly, a light bulb went off," Gazidis said of playing international competition. "We are actually in a very unique position to be able to have not just an exhibition game but a meaningful game. More than just bragging rights are at stake, but real pride. Pride in our league and our ability to compete with the best in the world."
Celtic FC will be a formidable challenge. The team has one of the most dedicated fan bases in the world and typically draws more than 57,000 to its home matches.
"They're 120 years old; we're only 11 years old," Gazidis said.
Plush doesn't plan to make any friendly wagers with Scottish dignitaries on the game. He doesn't want to end up wearing a kilt or eating haggis, a Scottish delicacy traditionally made of sheep entrails.
"While I'm very confident about the side we're going to put out, I'm still not going to engage in the bet," Plush said with a grin.
Not only will Colorado host the All-Star game, but the Rapids are scheduled to kick off the MLS season April 7 against D.C. United (if Beckham doesn't arrive earlier than expected, that is).
The Rapids will get a chance to show off their new 18,000-seat, $64-million stadium. The entire project, which includes 24 surrounding fields, cost close to $135 million. It's considered one of the biggest and most state-of-the-art professional stadiums and field complexes in the world. The Rapids had been sharing Invesco Field with the Denver Broncos.
"Invesco Field was good, but this is going to be great," Plush said. "We're excited to play there."
The city of Denver has hosted all-star games from the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, National Lacrosse League and Major League Baseball.
"We know how to do this," said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, who attended the news conference to announce the All-Star game. "We appreciate what this means to the area and the state. Our ability to attract an international event is big."
The arrival of Beckham for the All-Star game would make the event even bigger.
"He's definitely good for business," Plush said.
(Copyright 2007. The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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I guess new stadiums tend to do that, they attract special games like all star games... Heh
Aaron (Glowrock)
--------------------------------------------------------
Denver to host 2007 MLS All-Star game
posted by: Jeffrey Wolf , Web Producer
created: 1/25/2007 4:38:43 PM
Last updated: 1/25/2007 9:24:08 PM
Click to send this story to a friend
Click to print copy of story
Click to decrease text size
Click to increase text size
DENVER (AP) - Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis can't hold any conversation without David Beckham's name surfacing.
It's all Beckham, all the time. Not that he minds. He's become well-versed in the subject of Beckham. After announcing Thursday afternoon the MLS All-Star game this season will be held in Denver on July 19, Gazidis knew the first question would be whether Beckham was eligible for the game.
Beckham, who agreed this month to a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS, was expected to be free of his Real Madrid contract July 1.
"If he's available, he will be available to be selected (for the All-Star game)," Gazidis said. "There's two commissioner's picks. I leave you to speculate whether he'll get selected."
The Rapids certainly wouldn't mind seeing the international star come to town for the game. He's already had a tremendous impact on ticket sales, and the full MLS schedule isn't even out yet. The club sold 60 season tickets to its new, soccer-only stadium, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, within 30 minutes of the Beckham announcement.
"That's a $20,000 bump in revenue just like that," Colorado's vice president and managing director Jeff Plush said. "He's still a great player. He's very good for our sport."
The All-Star game will match the MLS All-Stars against Celtic FC, the top team in the Scottish Premier League. The MLS All-Stars beat another renown international team, Chelsea FC, 1-0, in last season's game.
"We used to do the East vs. West format. Then suddenly, a light bulb went off," Gazidis said of playing international competition. "We are actually in a very unique position to be able to have not just an exhibition game but a meaningful game. More than just bragging rights are at stake, but real pride. Pride in our league and our ability to compete with the best in the world."
Celtic FC will be a formidable challenge. The team has one of the most dedicated fan bases in the world and typically draws more than 57,000 to its home matches.
"They're 120 years old; we're only 11 years old," Gazidis said.
Plush doesn't plan to make any friendly wagers with Scottish dignitaries on the game. He doesn't want to end up wearing a kilt or eating haggis, a Scottish delicacy traditionally made of sheep entrails.
"While I'm very confident about the side we're going to put out, I'm still not going to engage in the bet," Plush said with a grin.
Not only will Colorado host the All-Star game, but the Rapids are scheduled to kick off the MLS season April 7 against D.C. United (if Beckham doesn't arrive earlier than expected, that is).
The Rapids will get a chance to show off their new 18,000-seat, $64-million stadium. The entire project, which includes 24 surrounding fields, cost close to $135 million. It's considered one of the biggest and most state-of-the-art professional stadiums and field complexes in the world. The Rapids had been sharing Invesco Field with the Denver Broncos.
"Invesco Field was good, but this is going to be great," Plush said. "We're excited to play there."
The city of Denver has hosted all-star games from the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, National Lacrosse League and Major League Baseball.
"We know how to do this," said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, who attended the news conference to announce the All-Star game. "We appreciate what this means to the area and the state. Our ability to attract an international event is big."
The arrival of Beckham for the All-Star game would make the event even bigger.
"He's definitely good for business," Plush said.
(Copyright 2007. The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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