LA Galaxy star David Beckham is making a huge impact for the game in Los Angeles.
The Times says Becks' arrival in LA has seen 300,000 replica Galaxy shirts sold in the last year - thought to be up to four times more than the number of biggest basketball or baseball stars in the US.
"It is more than Kobe Bryant, LeBron James (NBA players). Around 75,000 to 80,000 sales is good for a leading player," Don Garber, the commissioner of the MLS said.