Grant Wahl of SI.com does his homework on David Beckham’s blockbuster move to MLS, finding that it’s not quite as blockbuster as the papers would have us believe. Becks will not be getting the $250 million the deal was marketed as-“not even close,” according to Wahl, whose sources say his guaranteed salary over the five years is exactly a fifth of that figure. However, the performance perks are significant. According to Wahl, Team Beckham is set to take between 40 and 50 percent off the top of the L.A. Galaxy’s jersey sales, and an undisclosed share of ticket revenues. When you add together Beckham’s endorsements, which include Pepsi, Gilette and adidas, then the $250 million figure becomes more attainable. As for why Beckham won’t be coming over earlier (his contract expires June 30), the Galaxy tells Wahl it didn’t want to spoil its good relations with Real Madrid. That’s a strange argument now that Real has made it clear Beckham won’t be playing for them again. That said, his transfer fee was likely to be astronomically high anyway (Wahl says in the high seven to low eight figures). Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas says Beckham wasn’t interested in leaving earlier anyway. Nevertheless, “this is a fluid situation,” Wahl says. The Galaxy may yet shell out the cash to bring him over sooner if his Real future is indeed over. Meanwhile, Galaxy coach Frank Yallop reveals that Landon Donovan may not have to worry about L.A. acquiring another designated player slot next year. He’s “grandfathered” for 2007, and L.A. will be acquiring another slot next year he says, which the team would use to keep Donovan. The rest of Wahl’s column is a lot of fun-it tells the tale of how the deal got done.