Thierry Henry move to The US Major League Soccer
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EXCLUSIVE: Sports Marketing Experts On Why Thierry Henry's MLS Move Is Not In The Same League As David Beckham's
Frenchman does not have commercial pulling power as English icon...
Thierry Henry will be formally unveiled as the new icon of US Major League Soccer on Thursday, but sports business experts have already claimed he will not be as big an attraction as David Beckham.
The 32-year-old Frenchman has walked away from Barcelona with 12 months remaining on his contract to join the New York Red Bulls and link up with his friend Beckham in America.But despite being one of the world’s most marketable footballers over the last decade, Henry is not expected to have the same commercial pulling power as Beckham, who moved to LA Galaxy in 2007.Like Beckham, it is understood that Henry will take a drop in basic salary to move from Spain to America but the Frenchman’s deal, believed to be worth around £2 million per season, will be augmented from other revenue sources, including a tie-up with club owner Red Bull, his own sponsors Adidas and Gillette and spin-offs such as shirt sales and merchandise.New MLS guidelines allow clubs to have up to three designated players whose salaries are not included in the League’s £1.67m annual salary cap, so only a small portion of Henry’s wages will count against the club’s cap. The remainder will be paid by the owner Red Bull.
“Thierry Henry will be used to attract the crowds and the TV money,” said Emmanuel Hembert, football business expert for management consultants AT Kearney.
“They would really need to attract big crowds and sells lots of shirts to make it worthwhile. They will also need Henry to show big motivation and really perform.
“Henry is going for the money, it is clear, as it is his last contract before retiring. The problem for MLS, from what I have heard, is that they are really struggling to attract crowds. People are watching the European leagues with the big stars. That’s why they are trying to attract the stars, even ones who are past their prime.”
Popular | Henry is unlikely to match Beckham's appealAlex Brownsell, of marketing magazine Brand Republic, does not believe Henry will be able to shift shirts like Beckham.
“For the game in America it certainly makes sense to go down the tried and trusted route of getting a big European player, just as LA Galaxy did with Beckham,” explained Brownsell.
“In this instance, he isn’t nearly as big a global star as David Beckham, who is hands down the most famous football player there has ever been, possibly along with Pele.
“Henry is a world renowned footballer but he doesn’t have the same level of celebrity. He is almost certainly not going to sell as many shirts. I’m sure there will be a commercial return but, no disrespect to Thierry Henry the player, the level of awareness there will be for him in north America is nowhere near the same.
"I’m sure people would have heard of him but there won’t be the same populist knowledge there would be of Beckham.”
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Damm sad... ditched by his country, and now his club
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Time to earn more $$$ when it is still possible.... last (Gold-digging) contract before retirement.
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Haiz
from arsenal to barcelona
now go USA play wth -
ok luh, as expected. he's old. the football game is a very realistic one, once old and cant be like before, you're off.
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Thierry Henry
With every possible award in world soccer lining his counter top, Thierry Henry is easily one of the greatest French player ever.
Born in Guadeloupe in 1977, the striker first exploded at Monaco in France, where he started his career. Henry gained respect at the elite level in 1998, winning the World Cup in France. His tremendous pace made him a permanent danger for defenders.
At the start of his career at Monaco and later at Juventus, 'Titi' played on the left, but Arsène Wenger at Arsenal transformed him into a complete center forward. Darting in from the left flank, Henry's right-footed curling shots to the far post soon came to haunt opposition sides.
Having spent eight years in London, Arsenal is surely his club as Henry is the best goal scorer ever for the Gunners with 226 goals in 339 appearances. The Frenchman also freely admits that he supports Arsenal.
Still considered the best foreign player in Premier League history, Henry is also the best goal scorer in the French national team (50 goals) and was recently the captain of Raymond Domech's squad.
A move to Barcelona ahead of the 2008 season allowed Henry to fill out his trophy cabinet by winning the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey in 2009.
Controversy smeared his career in 2009 when a handball against Ireland in the qualification playoffs for the 2010 World Cup allowed Les Blues to progress.
Perhaps fittingly, Henry's career took a downturn following the handball. After a difficult year at Barcelona Henry lost his starting spot on the national team and France imploded at the 2010 World Cup, crashing out in the group stages.
Now Henry enters the swansong of his career in New York Red Bulls.
Strengths:
- Speed
- Scoring
- Leadership
- Experience
Weaknesses:
- Defense
- Age
Did you know?
Henry has twice notched the most assists in a Premier League season, so he is capable of creating as well as scoring.
Awards and honors
World Cup winner (1998), finalist (2006)
European Championships winner (2000)
Confederations Cup winner (2003)
French Ligue 1 champion (1997)
Premier League champion (2002-2004)
FA Cup winner (2002, 2003, 2005)
Champions League winner (2009), finalist (2006)
Clubs world cup winner (2009)
Liga champion (2009)
Copa del Rey winner (2009)
Spanish Supercup winner (2009)
UEFA Supercup winner (2009) -
Originally posted by Poignant:
Eddie Murphy look alike? haha
Anyway, I hope he does something good for MLS. -
he should try irish league... haha..
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come S league join the our FT club ... led us to Brazil 2014.
hahaha