The Miami Messi Revolution: Unveiling the Journey of Lionel Messi's Impact on Inter Miami and MLS - Ep 24

The Business of Sport by Sportsfinda

Podcast Show Notes:

- In this episode, we explore the remarkable "Messi Effect" and its significance in the football world. We discuss Lionel Messi's recent groundbreaking move to Inter Miami and the transformative impact it has had on the sport.

- Lionel Messi, at 35 years old, is recognized as the seventh highest-paid athlete of all time, amassing a staggering $1.22 billion in career earnings. We examine the magnitude of his financial success, including his current lucrative deal with Adidas worth an estimated $20 million annually.

- Messi's deal to join Inter Miami is described as "unprecedented" in the history of single-player acquisitions. We delve into the unique components of his contract, which include earning a percentage from subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass from APPLE TV, direct payments from Adidas for Inter Miami shirt sales, and the potential opportunity to acquire an MLS franchise in the future.

- We highlight the collective financial contributions made by all MLS franchises to bring Lionel Messi to the United States. This collaboration signifies the widespread recognition and excitement surrounding Messi's arrival.

- Messi announced his move to Inter Miami in an interview with Spanish outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport. We discuss the immediate effects of his announcement, including the skyrocketing ticket prices for his potential first match, as exemplified by the price surge of Game 3 NBA Finals tickets in Miami.

- We explore the connection between Lionel Messi and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. We highlight the success of Beckham's MLS move in 2007, where he earned $255 million over five years, subsequently purchased Inter Miami for $25 million, and increased the club's value to $600 million. With the addition of Messi, Inter Miami's valuation is expected to approach $1 billion.

- We discuss the ongoing negotiations surrounding Inter Miami's consideration of signing Ángel Di Maria as a free agent and their persistence in pursuing Sergio Busquets. We also note that Messi sold more PSG jerseys last year than the total revenue earned by the top-earning MLS team, LAFC.

- We conclude by emphasizing the "Messi effect" and its transformative power on Inter Miami and the broader football landscape. The anticipation for Messi's potential first match against Cruz Azul on July 21 is high, further showcasing the impact of his presence.