Inter Miami made a big bet on Messi, and it's paying off - ESPN

When Inter Miami broke precedent to bring on Lionel Messi, signing him to a contract worth $150 million, the club was making a big bet that it would be worth it. Since Messi joined the league on July 15, 2023, Inter Miami has almost doubled their revenue, the club has told ESPN, making the economic returns clear.

Before Messi's arrival, Inter Miami generated revenue of $50-$60 million in 2022, according to the club. It swelled to $120-$130 million in 2023, but in 2024, the team is projected to earn over $200 million in revenue, dwarfing previous numbers and setting a club record. This year's explosion in revenue can clearly be attributed to record-breaking sponsorship deals, unprecedented demand for tickets, merchandise, and all things Messi mania.

«It is completely night and day [after signing Messi], because what we are doing now with the team is totally on an international level,» said Xavier Asensi, Inter Miami president of business operations. «Now we are talking about the global interest. Now it is football, not soccer.»

Messi's arrival drew international attention to Inter Miami, propelling companies to view the club as a global brand with untapped potential and initiate contact for potential deals. The attention brought on by Messi's arrival allowed for the club to work with industry leaders, replacing deals with smaller-end businesses.

Miami signed 11 multi-year partnerships this season, including deals with Audi, JPMorgan Chase, Duracell, Lowe's, Visa and LaCroix. Audi stands as the only brand to also sponsor Major League Soccer, while the rest sought to work with Inter Miami alone. The deals with Fracht to appear on the jersey sleeve and Royal Caribbean to be displayed front and center on jerseys, in