I agree it's a lot of money, and even though he's not the star player he used to be Beckham is still an icon of pop culture. Beside he's more famed as a celebrity than he's a footballer, and then there's Posh. That alone can attract even those who'd otherwise never pay attention to a "soccer" game.
Don't forget, the owner of MLS is one of the richest in the world. This is an opportunity for them to promote and control the soccer monopoly in the US, where games like baseball and b-ball generate absurd amount of money. If "soccer" is established as a pop sport, it will also generate more money in the long run.
US media thinks even the fact that Becks can speak Spanish will help attract America's hispanics population, who happens to be largest minority and traditionally follow "soccer".
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