Date:28/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/28/stories/2007062860522200.htm

Sport - Football

Sponsors are counting on Beckham

New York: Adidas is launching an advertising campaign this week featuring soccer star David Beckham and New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush swapping sports during practice in “Futbol vs Football.”

“There are very few people whose names transcend their own sports. People know the name of David Beckham, whether they follow soccer or not,” said Stephen Pierpoint, vice-president of brand marketing for Adidas America.

After helping Real Madrid win the Spanish League title for the first time in four seasons with the club, Beckham joins Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy next month, a major injection of star power for a league whose talent has steadily been rising but has lacked a marquee mainstay.

He will join the Galaxy next month and be a half-time guest on the telecast of the MLS All-Star game in Denver on July 19, perhaps making a cameo appearance in the match. — AP