In the United States, traditionally, football ranks behind baseball, basketball and rugby, but the presence of the famous player Messi has once again surprisingly attracted the attention of fans here.
Messi brings soccer and MLS closer to other top sports in the United States, such as baseball, basketball and soccer.
“Messi’s influence is so profound that even the baseball community in the United States is now beginning to feel the strain. Despite the prestige and tradition of the New York Yankees baseball team, fans seem more fascinated by Messi’s performance on the pitch as well as by the striking power of the famous athlete Aaron Judge And a recent survey proves it. Marque (Spain) expressed.
As a result, a poll by journalist José Armando of the newspaper Deport Total USA On the social network on October 86.8, rather than the baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at the same time. This match only attracted 1% of fan interest. While about 7% of people choose to pay attention to both events. This survey involved nearly 30 users of the social network
“While this does not represent a real change and there has been a lot of skepticism, this poll shows some of Messi’s great influence and impact on American fans, who now have to choose between watching football and other sports which is traditional and famous in America.
In fact, Messi’s effect goes beyond current Twitter or X polls. The ripple effect of this famous player’s move to America can be felt everywhere. From social media to ticket sales, Messi is now the main attraction, surpassing even the most famous athletes from other sports in the United States. Marque emphasize.
MLS and Inter Miami benefit ‘hugely’ from Messi
Traditionally, the MLB (American Professional Baseball League) has dominated the MLS, the American Professional Soccer League, in every aspect from ratings to viewership. But with the appearance of Messi, everything changes.
Since having Messi, the Inter Miami Club has changed its life, the value of the team has increased to more than a billion dollars, the number of followers on social networks has increased from 1 million to more than 1 million people. From the last-placed team in the Eastern region, after just one year, they moved up to number 17 and won the Supporters’ Shield. Become the brightest candidate to win the MLS Cup.
Messi helped Inter Miami skyrocket attendance numbers, along with the entire MLS tournament
The average number of spectators coming to the stadium to see Inter Miami play has also skyrocketed, from 12.000 people/match in 2022, to 7.2023 people/match in 2023 (Messi plays from July 20.994). In season XNUMX, with this famous player playing the whole season, the number of spectators increased to 50,000 people/game.
The craze for “Messimamania” also benefits MLS and local clubs “hugely”. According to the sheet Sports newsMLS sponsorships increased 13% year-over-year in 2023, while club-level sponsorships also increased 13%. For comparison, the league signed 18 new sponsorship deals this 2024 season, a record number.
“In every match in which Messi appeared – even though he only played 19 matches due to injury and attended the Copa America – the stadiums were always sold out. “The average attendance of Messi’s matches MLS this season reached a record 23,234 spectators per match, for a total of 11,454,295 fans attending matches on the field, an increase of 14% compared to 2022, before the Messi era,” according to the newspaper. AS (Spain).
Messi helps MLS viewership soar
Additionally, Inter Miami’s third jersey (blue), bearing the number 3 and Messi’s name, became the best-selling jersey in MLS history. So much so that MLS must cooperate with brands in Europe to distribute this article to supporters as quickly as possible, according to the newspaper. 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 during the match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United and broadcast it for free to everyone on this platform. .
