In America, soccer traditionally ranks behind baseball, basketball and rugby, but the presence of famous player Messi once again caught the attention of fans here.
Messi brings soccer and MLS closer to other top sports in the US such as baseball, basketball and football.
“Messi’s influence is so profound that now even the baseball community in America is starting to feel the heat. Despite the prestige and tradition of the New York Yankees baseball team, fans seem to be more fascinated by Messi’s performance on the field than the hitting power of famous athlete Aaron Judge. And a recent survey proves it mark (Spain) expressed.
According to a survey conducted by the newspaper’s journalist Jose Armando Total Sport USA On the social network on 86.8. October instead of the simultaneous baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. This game only attracted 1% of fan interest. While about 7% of people choose to pay attention to both events. Almost 30 users of the social network X took part in this survey and gave their opinion.
“Although it doesn’t represent a real change and there was a lot of skepticism, this survey shows some of Messi’s great influence and influence on American fans who are now weighing between soccer and other sports that are traditional and famous in America.
In fact, Messi’s impact goes beyond current Twitter or X polls. The impact of this famous player’s move to America is felt everywhere. From social media to ticket sales, Messi is now the star attraction, surpassing even the most famous athletes from other sports in the United States. mark emphasize.
MLS and Inter Miami benefit “enormously” from Messi
Traditionally, the MLB (American Professional Baseball League) has outperformed the MLS – American Professional Soccer League – in everything from ratings to viewership. But with Messi’s appearance everything changes.
Since the Inter Miami club got Messi, his life has changed, the team value has increased to over $1 billion, the number of followers on social networks has increased from 1 million to over 17 million people. From last team in the Eastern Region, they rose to number 1 after just one year and won the Supporters’ Shield. Become the brightest candidate to win the MLS Cup.
Messi helped Inter Miami skyrocket attendance, as well as the entire MLS tournament
The average number of spectators who came to the stadium to watch the Inter Miami game also jumped, from 12,000 people/game in 2022 to 15,000 people/game in 2023 (Messi will play from July 7, 2023). In the 2024 season, in which this famous player plays the entire season, the number of spectators has increased to 20,994 people/game.
The “Messimania” trend also benefits the MLS and the clubs here benefit “enormously”. According to the sheet The SportnachrichtenMLS sponsorships increased 13% year-over-year in 2023, while club-level sponsorships also increased 13%. In comparison, the league signed 18 new sponsorship deals this season, a record number.
“In every game Messi appeared in – even though he only played 19 games due to injury and attended the Copa America – the stadiums were always sold out. The average attendance at MLS games this season has reached a record 23,234 spectators per game, with a total of 11,454,295 fans watching games on the field, a 14% increase compared to 2022, the pre-Messi era, it said in the newspaper AS (Spain).
Messi helps MLS viewership skyrocket
Additionally, Inter Miami’s third jersey (blue), with the number 3 and Messi’s name, became the best-selling jersey in MLS history. So much so that, according to the newspaper, MLS needs to work with brands in Europe to distribute this item to fans as quickly as possible. AS.
In the near future, when Messi plays in the MLS Cup, the social network TikTok has signed a historic agreement with MLS to exclusively record this famous player in the match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United and broadcast it for free for everyone on this platform.
