BECKHAM L.A. GALAXY LANDS SOCCER STAR IN $250 MILLION DEAL MLS BANKS ON COUPLE'S STAR POWER WITH RICHEST DEAL IN SPORTS HISTORY.

Byline: BETH BARRETT and GREG HERNANDEZ Staff Writers

The city of stars woke up to a supernova Thursday -- the world's most famous soccer star had signed on to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the richest deal in sports history.

The estimated $250 million, five-year pact with David Beckham marked the biggest Los Angeles sports deal since hockey legend Wayne Gretzky joined the Kings nearly two decades ago.

With his wife, Victoria -- formerly Posh of the Spice Girls pop group -- Beckham joins the elite of L.A.'s celebrity culture.

And he propels Los Angeles into the center of an international spotlight with a one-man industry expected to be priceless in everything from glitz and glamour, media deals and tourism promotions to merchandise and Hollywood buzz.

``The dollar figure is in the zillions. It's almost impossible to put a ceiling on it,'' said Michael Collins, executive vice president of LA Inc., the city's tourism and marketing arm.

The deal marked a coup for Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy and three other Major League Soccer teams as well as The Home Depot Center in Carson where the stylish 31-year-old British midfielder will play.

``The whole world is suddenly paying attention to us here,'' said Timothy J. Leiweke, president and chief executive of AEG.

``David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally.''

Overnight, Beckham turned the Galaxy into a ``celebrity ticket.'' By Thursday evening, more than 2,000 Galaxy season tickets -- at $500 to $800 a pop -- had been sold, although Beckham won't arrive until his contract with Real Madrid is up June30, when the MLS season will be well under way.

All but two of the 46 luxury suites at the 27,000-seat Home Depot Center had been snapped up.

``It's another royal couple, world attention, media and tourists from all over the world,'' Leiweke said.

The buzz about the deal was ferocious all day long. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kept tabs on the transaction, and Lakers star and soccer fan Kobe Bryant's agent called with well wishes and offers of help.

``David Beckham will generate tremendous exposure for the L.A. Galaxy and increase an already heightened level of interest in the sport of soccer among Angelenos and all Americans,'' Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement.

David M. Carter, assistant professor of sports business at USC, said that as both a celebrity and world-class athlete Beckham is in a unique position to brand Major League Soccer.

``In this town, it's all about celebrity culture, gossip, the scuttlebutt. They instantly become a great sports-entertainment power couple in town whose moves everyone will want to follow,'' Carter said.

Beckham said in a statement that after 15 years in Europe he wanted to help boost U.S. soccer rather than sign a two-year contract extension with Real Madrid.

``I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football, and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own,'' he said.

And the sheer star power of Beckham -- the inspiration for the 2002 hit film ``Bend It Like Beckham'' -- makes him perfect for Tinseltown.

``It's the kind of brand celebrity that's bigger than just an individual,'' Collins said. ``There are certain transcendent celebrities that go beyond the normal dimensions. He has that Michael Jordan quality. It's intangible, but everyone knows it when they see it.''

Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said the deal is certain to boost local soccer as well as the economy.

It also could wake up the National Football League, which for years has been unable to seal a deal to locate a team in the city.

``You know who will get its nose out of joint is the NFL,'' Kyser said. ``They do the two-step with Southern California, but what they don't understand is they've lost generations that can play soccer and who (don't) give a hoot about the NFL.''

As Beckham readies to join the Galaxy, Leiweke said Galaxy officials don't believe some who say he is nearing the end of a storied career after failing to win a major title in his 3 1/2 seasons with Real Madrid.

Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas said the right-footed Beckham -- who wore No.7 in Madrid -- retains his ``legendary ability'' to score goals off free kicks and is one of the best ball-crossers in the world.

His new teammates -- whom he will join sometime this summer -- are excited about playing with the star and the spotlight it will bring to soccer.

``A couple of the players were a little concerned they'd fallen off the No.1 spot as best-looking on the team,'' he said.

Lalas, whose team failed to make the playoffs for the first time last year, said Beckham will elevate the Galaxy as well as U.S. soccer.

Ben Grossman, Los Angeles bureau chief for Broadcasting and Cable magazine, said executives at Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN air MSL games nationally and are ready to capitalize on Beckham's star wattage.

``They are ecstatic,'' he said. ``Clearly someone of this magnitude will not only bring in soccer fans but the mainstream sports viewer for some first-time sampling. That is crucial in trying to grow any kind of television product.''

Among the winners is Fox Sports Net West, which broadcasts Galaxy games.

``They have three years left on their current contract, and now, basically, that product has just infinitely shot up in value,'' Grossman said.

``The MSL is betting that this is going to be a smart long-term play for them, and it better be because they are paying a lot in the short term.''

Beckham's star power also has a lot of people betting on whether he will shine in Hollywood.

Some questioned whether his dramatic hairstyle changes, tattoos and flashy clothes may be too metrosexual for L.A. fans.

``That kind of pretty boy doesn't fly here as much as it does in Europe,'' said Marc Malkin, Planet Gossip columnist at E! Online. ``That's not who really is the hunk here where we are looking at pictures of smelly and hunky Matthew McConaughey without a shirt on.''

Still, Beckham and his wife have been one of the most glamorous couples in Europe and already have Hollywood friends including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

``Whenever you have someone who has transcended their field and is famous on the world stage, they are a `get,''' top Hollywood publicist Tony Angelotti said. ``He'll be invited to everything under the sun in this town with his wife, who is famous in her own right.

``This was a town where Gretzky was a big get, and this is not a hockey town nor is it a big soccer town. But that won't matter. In L.A., they are crazy for celebrity.''

Blogger Trent Venegas, editor of Pink is the New Blog, thinks the couple's celebrity will effortlessly transport from Europe to the West Coast.

``They will be right at home with the Hollywood thing. They pretty much live that lifestyle in England. He and his wife both will fit in very well with the whole Ivy and Robertson crowd. They will probably be at Hyde every weekend.''

``It's not so much that he's the best soccer player -- he's very good -- it's his whole charisma factor,'' he added.

``He's very cool with being seen and going out. He always looks good and is dressed well. He's like the male Paris Hilton, but he has a job.''

beth.barrett(at)dailynews.com

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David Robert Joseph Beckham

THE MAN: 31-year-old international soccer superstar, fashion icon, tabloid fixture, marketing giant.

THE DEAL: Five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy estimated to be worth $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements.

HOW MUCH IS THAT? Nearly $1 million a week -- what is being called the biggest deal in sports history.

STAR POWER: The biggest star to play soccer in the United States in the three decades since Pele played with the New York Cosmos.

WHEN: The Galaxy opens its season in April, and Beckham is expected to join in August.

CAREER: Joined Manchester United as a trainee in 1991 and won six league titles before moving to Real Madrid in 2003. Has failed to win a single major trophy with the Spanish club.

HOLLYWOOD MOMENTS: Made a Pepsi commercial with Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. Inspired the 2002 movie ``Bend It Like Beckham.''

CELEBRITY X 2: Married Victoria, formerly Posh Spice of the Spice Girls pop group, in 1999.

THE FABULOUS LIFE: As a couple, the Beckhams are worth $169million, according to Britain's Rich List.

FAMILY: Has three sons: Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

FORESHADOWING: Opened a branch of his soccer academy for children at the Home Depot Center in Carson last year.

For more on the Beckham deal -- see Sports

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1) David Beckham has turned the Galaxy into a ``celebrity ticket.'' By Thursday evening, more than 2,000 Galaxy season tickets -- at $500 to $800 a pop -- had been sold.

Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images

(2 -- color) no caption (David Beckham)

(3 -- color) no caption (Victoria & David Beckham)

Box:

David Robert Joseph Beckham (see text)