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(CNN)Major League Soccer recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary. But did the league's most pivotal landmark take place 10 years ago, on January 11, 2007?
That was the date David Beckham surprised the footballing world by announcing that, at the end of that season, he would leave Spanish giants Real Madrid for MLS side LA Galaxy, in a five-year deal reportedly worth $250 million.
"Soccer is huge all around the world except in America and that's where I want to make a difference," said Beckham at the time.
"Soccer in America is the biggest played sport up to a certain age. That's where I want to take it, to another level. I think potentially it can go higher in America than anyone can believe."
Perhaps Beckham's canniest MLS move came in 2014, when the league announced he had exercised his option to buy a MLS expansion team for $25 million, which Beckham received as part of the contract he signed with the Galaxy.
That could prove quite the bargain, given as Lalas says "if someone were to buy an MLS team right now, we're talking the $150 million to $200 million range."
And while there remains uncertainty over the location for a stadium for the Miami team, both Lalas and Jones are in no doubt that Beckham will be a successful owner.
"If that ultimately happens, I think it will be wonderful for the league," says Lalas, whereas Jones believes "anytime you see a former player get into ownership, you are hoping and dreaming that it's a success.
"You want them to do well, you want them to succeed. Let's be honest, with David, a lot of it is his name, but while others are running it, I'm sure he will have his opinion on the way things should be going.
"And if he's going to be doing it in the Miami area, I think that would be special."
Brand it like Beckham indeed.
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Read More Here: ‘Galactico’ to the Galaxy: How Brand Beckham conquered the US
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