Fashion-conscious football shirt fans are probably curious what all the cool kids in Asia will be wearing next year. We all know that it will be a David Beckham jersey and we all know that the jersey will belong to the LA Galaxy, but what we don’t know is what that jersey will look like.
The club has decided that it is going to scrap its current kit – a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy world of MLS uniforms – and design a new one with more global appeal.
No, they aren’t going to ask Giorgi Armani for design help. Instead, they are turning to David Beckham himself.
Sign in or create an account to earn points for voting, keep track of your reviews, edit them, and more.
Said Tim Leiweke, president of the company who owns the club:
"We have a good name but we need a more legendary, traditional kind of look and the kit and badge will change. We made a decision that it was time to start thinking how we can create a world brand. David Beckham will obviously help enormously with that and we can’t wait to see him here."
Tim Leiweke:
"David's new contract begins on July 1, after his current deal with Spanish club Real Madrid ends.
A team source said:
"Given that David's arrival is a major chapter in the club's history, it has been decided that the club kit should have a whole new look."
There is more to Beckham's deal than the guaranteed salary, however. Beckham will also earn 40-to-50 percent of Galaxy jersey sales and an undisclosed share of ticket revenues.
Why should fans hold off buying a green-and-gold Galaxy jersey with Beckham's name on the back?
Simple answer: because Becks will never wear green and gold with the Galaxy. The team is deep into the process of rebranding itself with new colors, a new shield and new uniforms. "We made a decision that it was time to start thinking through how we create a more worldly brand,"
Lewieke says. "We have a good name. Galaxy works. But we need a more legendary, traditional kind of look that's more of a soccer look."Leiweke predicts the new jerseys will be available in the next two months. What color will they be? "The last time I checked, when you're looking at a Galaxy it's not green or yellow. It's either black or dark blue," Leiweke says. Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas is more specific: "When I think of the Galaxy I think of dark blue."
Then there's the issue of a shirt sponsor, which MLS rules are allowing for the first time this season. Leiweke had said two companies were in the running last Thursday, but he told me on Friday that a third company was now in the mix for what will surely be a multi-million-dollar sponsorship. A deal will be made in the next 30 days, he said, and probably sooner rather than later.
