The arrival of Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, is already proving to be a game-changer for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Jorge Mas, the managing owner of Inter Miami, revealed in an interview with CNBC’s “Halftime Report” that Messi’s presence is expected to double the club’s revenue over the next year. Messi, the Argentinean national and former Barcelona star, officially joined Inter Miami on Monday.
Mas also shared his optimism about the team’s valuation, stating that it could reach a staggering $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion within the next year. Currently, Forbes estimates the worth of Miami as the 11th most valuable team in MLS at $600 million.
“When we embarked on the Inter Miami project, our goal was to become the premier platform for football in the United States,” Mas explained.
Supporters of Argentinean soccer player Lionel Messi gather outside the Inter Miami DRV Pnk Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 11, 2023.
Marco Bello | Reuters
Mas revealed that the process of bringing Messi to Miami began in 2019 when he and co-owner David Beckham traveled to Barcelona to meet Messi’s father.
“This is a rare opportunity for an athlete to truly revolutionize a sport, and Messi has that opportunity ahead of him,” Mas remarked.
The “Messi effect” is already being felt in South Florida, with a significant impact on various commercial aspects. According to Mas, conversations about Messi dominate discussions in the region.
Messi jerseys are in high demand, with Adidas working around the clock to meet the requirements. Fanatics, a leading sports e-commerce platform, informed CNBC that Messi has the potential to break the record for the most jerseys sold within 24 hours for a player joining a new team in any sport, currently held by Cristiano Ronaldo following his move to Manchester United in 2021.
Ticket prices for Messi’s first game in the United States on Friday are averaging nearly $1,300 on secondary ticket platforms like TicketIQ.
Mas expressed his hope that the Messi phenomenon will help propel Major League Soccer to compete with top European leagues.
“My partners and I in Major League Soccer, along with fellow owners, have a responsibility to seize this moment and elevate Major League Soccer over the next three to five years in order to compete with the Premier League,” Mas emphasized.
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