Tomorrow night over 30,000 people are expected to turn up at Etihad Stadium to watch Melbourne Victory take on David Beckham. No, really. Becks could be playing for Semen Padang FC or Corby Town and still pull a crowd. The reality is the majority of people attending the match are there to see David Beckham and Beckham only. The fact that Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane are also involved is merely a bonus but will be enough to satisfy the football fans amongst the audience who are willing to fork out $60 to sit 100 meteres from the touchline on level 3.
In case you hadn’t realised by now, I’m not a fan of mid-season friendlies, especially when they don’t represent value for money. Ideally I’d prefer that they only be played in the off-season. As well as being a distraction for the players and the potential for injures in a meaningless game, I think it sends a message that we don’t take the league seriously enough. It seems that A-League clubs are more than willing to take these risks with their eyes on the money instead of concentrating on what really matters.
But putting my grievances aside for just a moment I can see the benefits of bringing Beckham to Melbourne. The media exposure for the game in Australia is invaluable and the potential to convert your average “theatre goers” into proper A-League fans is definitely there. As for the benefits to Melbourne Victory itself, on top of the obvious financial rewards in the short-term, its a great opportunity to make strong connections with an MLS club.
Anthony Di Pietro said today that Melbourne are keen to strengthen their ties with LA Galaxy and that a formal agreement may be possible:
We’ve had those discussions with (Galaxy president) Tom Payne, and we’ll certainly look at that.
If you can establish a relationship with a club, an MLS club like LA Galaxy, on an annual basis … then those are things that we would certainly entertain.
Given the similarities between the two leagues there is definitely a lot we can learn from each other so it will be interesting to see how things develop. I for one would welcome an official partnership with an MLS club, be it the Galaxy or any other. And if that means we have to put up with mid-season friendlies then I guess its not too much of a price to pay – until Harry Kewell gets injured and is ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Melbourne Victory News 24/7
I don’t mind at all about paying the money; it is a factor that has never woried me. I am unable to attend this match and I still would have gone, but the price of the tickets is a slap in the face.
‘
FOR A FAMILY OF 5 TO SIT IN CATAGORY A WOULD COST A STAGGERING $450.
‘
Even for the cattle-class up in the far reaches of Etihad Stadium, Level 3, Row Z, it would still cost us $200 (for 2 kids, 2 adults and 1 concession). Just to go myself, it would cost $80, and that is just a concession ticket for catagory B!
‘
I won’t succumb to such nonsense, especially for a probably boring 0-0 encounter, which will only result in futher fitness issues for the players.
‘
I will watch it on foxtel and spend the $80-90 on a 2012/13 FULL-SEASON MVFC MEMBERSHIP for myself, scarf included! I will have access to at least 14 home games. So, 14 action packed games vs. 1 dodgy friendly?
The pricing is an absolute joke. Surely 100-110 max for cat A would be more appropriate. That was a promoter decision though, I believe.
Obviously mid season friendlies aren’t ideal (unless its in a week off/bye week for a club) but if thats the only time we can get LA Galaxy/Becks down, and its right on the back of their season and into ours so the players are relatively primed, then I guess the pros outweight the cons.
It’s probably a good time for it, promotion wise, as the Kewell factor has been wearing off and it’s another shot in the arm and reminder that the A-League is here. hopefully it can be an entertaining game and get people down for the Adelaide match – if they have any money left!
First timers would probably think it is that expensive to go all the time.
I know a lot of on the fence people about aleague said Beckham? Hell yeah im interested. How much? “$60″ Oh… really? stuff that.
I wonder how many potential aleague fans it cost us. Glad to hear a lot of tickets have been sold, more than I expected, but I think it could have been done a lot better.
At that price, maybe AAMI park was the go, very exclusive, and what a view everyone would have.
I couldn’t agree more with your statement.
‘
I have been a Victory member for 5 seasons now and I can’t believe how many new fans could have possibly been detered due to the incredible ticket prices.
‘
“Beckham? Hell yeah im interested. How much? “$60″ Oh… really? stuff that”. Exactly and that’s not the only issue. The corporate pen-pushers don’t look into the future where, in this situation, much cheaper ticket prices could have equated to thousands more attending the match. At minimum, around a thousand or more of those one-timers might actually enjoy themselves and decide to come more often. I myself have spent in excess of $1000 over 5 years with the Victory so you could imagine if 1000-2000 thousand new fans were introduced. They alone would be pulling in millionsover just a few seasons!
‘
That’s what inevitably happens when the inevitable factor of money is introduced to football. Its more or les doomed from the start.
‘
CORPORATIONS/MONEY > The Beautiful Game.