This day in NY sports history

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Tuesday, June 3, 1975

Pele signs with the Cosmos

In an attempt to increase soccer's exposure in America, the New York Cosmos signed Brazilian superstar Pele to what was then the richest contract in team sports history. The 34-year-old agreed to a three-year, $7-million deal to play in the North American Soccer League. Pele was arguably the sports' greatest player ever, having scored 1,216 goals in 1,253 games and led Brazil to three World Cup championships. He had been semiretired for two years, but Warner Communications, the company that owned the Cosmos, believed his iconic status would garner attention and increase advertising revenue. Pele's presence helped boost average attendance from 7,597 before his arrival to 13,584 in '77. The Cosmos made the playoffs in two of his three seasons, won the Soccer Bowl in 1977, and Pele scored 37 goals in 64 NASL games.