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News, Blog and GuidesThe MLS commissioner is fully aware of the impact Lionel Messi has had on the league and wants to find another player who can contribute in a similar way.
Luis Guillermo Vázquezluis_lgazulUpdate: Feb 19th, 2024 15:12 EST0
CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICHEFE
The start of the 2024 MLS season is finally here. Messi is preparing to start his first full campaign since he landed in the United States to wear the colours of Inter Miami, and the impact of the Argentine has been reflected in huge increases to ticket prices, sponsorship deals, and TV subscriptions, merchandise numbers and general interest in the sport.
Despite this, Messi is only the first step for the MLS commissioner, Don Garber, and the entire MLS team, who are already proposing a new strategy to continue to attract players who could have the same impact as the world champion.
New year, new signings, new stars. ✨ pic.twitter.com/UR6h1XjIj7
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 19, 2024
‘Messi took the MLS to a height that is difficult to imagine’
“Ticket sales, sponsorship sales, subscription sales — the revenue will continue to follow Messi being in our league, but to me, it’s way more important to look at it strategically”, said MLS Commissioner Don Garber during an interview with Sports & Business Journal.
“Major League Soccer”, he continued, “due to Messi’s desire to come to our league and choose Major League Soccer and Inter Miami, we’re part of the global conversation. As you read interviews with players around the world, the biggest names in the sport, MLS is constantly part of the message. That dynamic is something that I think will be part of the next generation of MLS growth for years to come,” Garber added.
MLS know that they will have the spotlight on the country over the coming years. The Copa América will be played there this June; a year later the Club World Cup will be in the US; in two years time the attention will focus once again on the nation as it hosts the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada.
“Messi took the MLS to a height that is difficult to imagine, but we have many more things to celebrate. Messi’s arrival crowned much of the work done by the league both on and off the field, it helped deliver the message that MLS can be the league of choice for the best players in the world,” he said in a press conference.
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Fans of all ages have been captivated by Messi’s arrival to US soccer.FREDERIC J. BROWNAFP
‘Messi is just the beginning of something big’
According to British journalist Duncan Castles, MLS is proposing a long-term strategy to bring French star Kylian Mbappé to the league. Christian Pulisic, the star of the United States national team, is another name that has been considered as the new image of the league, while other world-class ps such as Luis Suárez and Hugo Lloris have landed in the United States for the 2024 season.
Don Garber echoed the idea, saying “Messi is just the start of something big.” The commissioner also recognised that subscription sales have increased between 15 and 20% compared to the same period last year, and the vast majority of our clubs are well ahead of the pace of last year: “subscription income has increased by 25%; sponsorship revenue is increasing; club sponsorship revenue is up 15%; sponsorship revenue in Canada increased by 45%; revenue from consumer products is up by 45%.”
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Two. More. Days. ⏳Messi & @InterMiamiCF take on @realsaltlake to kickoff the season!📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/D7skJOK7bn pic.twitter.com/xoe19Wm6jQ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 19, 2024
