The Beautiful Game: Could ESPN Succeed Where David Beckham Has Failed?

Every time one of the regular Sportscenter pundits talks about soccer highlights on ESPN I have to laugh a little. 

They do try.  But at the same time, their visible disinterest betrays them.  They don't know that much, nor do they really care.  It shows, and on some of them, it shows badly.

But we have to give the greatest all sports network in the world some credit.  Slowly but surely, I've noticed the game reports and highlights trickle in.  I've seen Champions League results scroll by on the ticker.  Cristiano Ronaldo's record transfer to Real Madrid even made THE LEAD!

Like I said, they do try. 

And now on the business end, ESPN has bought its way into the UK's televised football (that's soccer football) market.  They have the rights to 46 Premier League matches this season, and 23 matches for each of the two after that.

As this foray into the world's most popular sport materializes over time, I can't help but think that ESPN will eventually try to do what David Beckham could not.  That is, make Americans give a crap about the other football, the one that is played with the foot.

Here I feel the need to make a confession.  I am a red, white, and blue blooded sports lover.  I don't love sports more than my wife and kids, but man I do love sports.  And just like most Americans, I like watching the best. 

That is why I follow the NFL and not the Arena League.  That is why I prefer MLB to any league that reminds me of getting help with a flat tire.  And in all honesty, that is why I would rather watch the English Premier League over MLS.  The EPL is the best soccer league in the world.  They have the most money and the most talent across the board. 

I think it is great that ESPN will be televising those games in the UK.  But what about the USA?  Beckham was supposed to raise the profile of soccer in America, but he's just one dude, and while he was a great player in his prime, he's no Pele!  Besides, a lot of American males just think he's too dang pretty. 

Soccer is called "the Beautiful Game" because of its fluidity and potential for amazing build-ups to amazing goals.  It has nothing to do with the looks of its stars. 

Maybe ESPN will figure that out.  Let the Kornhisers of the world talk about the individual athletes we already know, and in the meantime bring some of that televised EPL beauty stateside.  Forget focusing on the players and just let Americans get accustomed to the game.  Player knowledge will eventually come, and we'll be watching "EPL Live" alongside "NFL Live".  We'll get advice from EPL "fantasy experts" on game days. 

We have room for this.  ESPN has the resources.  I guarantee more would watch than currently watch lumberjack contests or World's Strongest Man events.  ESPN can do what Beckham never could.  They could make us care.  All they need to do is show us the games and find some real experts to analyze them.

And who knows?  Maybe they could make us care enough to build up our national team with our young athletes.  We can dominate the Olympics on the world stage.  Isn't it time to win a World Cup?