Most athletes get a line in the paper when they sign or possibly a small press conference with a handful of reporters.
If it's a high-profile signing, maybe he's treated to a dais in the Star of the Sea room at the local hotel.
David Beckham was greeted by 5,000 of his closest friends.
"This is amazing. I never thought I would see this," said Dan from Colton, Calif. "I've traveled around the States and been to Europe and I've felt the energy and the buzz. To see that here in a stadium that is built for soccer in California, in America, is exciting. You get nervous. You get excited. When I was growing up, we didn't have a league and the stars were in other countries. It is here now and it is amazing."
Major League Soccer and the LA Galaxy spared no level of pomp and circumstance as they trumpeted the arrival of their newest star, Beckham, who arrived to the flash of the paparazzi Thursday night at Los Angeles International Airport and then made his grand entrance at The Home Depot Center on Friday morning amid a blast of blue, gold and white confetti.
It was a chance for the media to ask their initial questions but really it was an opportunity for the people that make the league go, the fans, a chance to get their first look at No. 23.
"The emotion that we have now and getting David Beckham here and being able to get better fans for the league and make the league grow, is just an unbelievable feeling," said Diego from Anaheim Hills, Calif. "We describe ourselves as really hardcore fans, who love good football and we're excited for the chance to see good football to develop."
One boisterous group led a cheer, "One David Beckham/there is only one David Beckham ..." that was sung loosely to the tune of "Guantanamera."
The Galaxy have signed Beckham on a five-year deal that includes incentives that could potentially send it as high as $250 million over the life of the contract.
That will grab the attention of just about anyone that hears the figures but the league is hoping the fascination is beyond mere dollars and translates into interest for the league.
Died in the wool Galaxy fans recognize that and see Beckham as a way to grow the league.
"It shows with a guy like Beckham, who is such a name, with him coming here there are some Europeans that acknowledge that this is a real league," said David from Riverside. "I think it is going to open some eyes from some Europeans and some fans alike that we are for real and we're coming."
David Howard has been a season-ticket holder since the inception of the franchise and said that he and his brother Mark waited in freeway traffic for two hours en route to the Rose Bowl for the Galaxy's first game in 1996.
Cobi Jones scored the first goal, fans stormed the field and an unshakeable loyalty was born. The Howard brothers hope Beckham has that same effect both on and off the pitch.
"I saw Beckham play in a European qualifier just a couple of weeks ago and he's still playing at a high level," Mark Howard said. "He's still playing for England and playing on their national team in the MLS, it shows that he can still play. I hear a lot of people say that he's coming here to retire but he can play at a good level and it is good for the Galaxy."
Fans streamed in to fill every seat in the southwest corner of the stadium. A video montage played on the big screen, music pumped to high volume raised the energy level and Beckham emerged from the south tunnel to cheers that everyone in attendance is hopeful they will be giving on numerous occasions.
It's a decibel level that is so common abroad.
"I was in Europe last year for the World Cup and the ambience with the yelling and the singing their anthems, hopefully that can come here," Rigo from Los Angeles said. "I hope that people think that soccer is actually cool. You can come and party and have fun."
While most serious fans recognize the arrival of Beckham in the U.S. as merely a step to playing with the world's best on a regular basis, that he's playing in their stadium was cause for celebration.
"It is good to see Beckham to come here," Dan said. "The fact that he chose to come here, to come to LA and to be a part of MLS to foster the next level of soccer, it is exciting. It really is."
Mike Scarr is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
