Forbes - Here Are The Most Valuable Major League Soccer Teams In 2025
Lionel Messi's move to Major League Soccer (MLS) has had a profound impact on the league's financial landscape. His presence has driven Inter Miami's revenue to $180 million and operating income to $50 million in 2024. The 'Messi effect' has also doubled MLS's Apple TV subscriptions and increased sponsorship revenue by 133% to $665 million. Clubs hosting Messi's matches, like Sporting Kansas City, have seen record attendance and revenue. Despite these gains, LAFC remains the most valuable MLS team at $1.25 billion, slightly ahead of Inter Miami at $1.2 billion. Concerns loom over the league's financial future post-Messi, as his eventual departure could impact revenues, similar to the decline seen after David Beckham left LA Galaxy. Inter Miami is preparing for this by securing long-term sponsorships and luxury suite commitments. The league's growth has slowed to 5%, and with 16 teams still operating at a loss, MLS needs to generate substantial national revenue to sustain its valuations. The upcoming 2026 World Cup in the U.S. presents an opportunity for further growth.
Key Points:
- Messi's impact has doubled MLS's Apple TV subscriptions and increased sponsorship revenue by 133%.
- Inter Miami's revenue reached $180 million with $50 million in operating income in 2024.
- LAFC is the most valuable MLS team at $1.25 billion, followed by Inter Miami at $1.2 billion.
- Concerns exist about MLS's financial sustainability post-Messi, similar to post-Beckham era.
- MLS needs to generate national revenue to sustain growth, with the 2026 World Cup as a potential catalyst.
Details:
1. 🌟 MLS Teams' Valuations Surge with Messi's Arrival
- Inter Miami's valuation increased by 50% following Messi's signing, highlighting a significant boost in financial worth attributed to his global influence.
- The average valuation of MLS teams rose by 20% after the announcement of Messi joining the league, marking a substantial league-wide economic uplift.
- Ticket sales for Inter Miami matches increased by 70% post Messi's arrival, demonstrating a direct impact on matchday revenue and fan engagement.
- Merchandise sales for MLS teams collectively increased by 35%, reflecting heightened consumer interest and brand expansion due to Messi's presence.
- Broadcast viewership for MLS games rose by 40% after Messi's debut, indicating increased media attention and audience reach.
- Comparatively, these metrics show a sharper rise than previous years, underscoring Messi's unparalleled effect on the league's economic dynamics.
2. 📺 Messi Headlines MLS Marketing Campaign
- Lionel Messi's appearance in a major marketing campaign for Major League Soccer (MLS) was strategically timed to air immediately following the Super Bowl, maximizing viewer exposure.
- The campaign leverages Messi's global appeal to enhance the visibility and popularity of MLS across the United States.
- By aligning the marketing push with a high-profile event like the Super Bowl, the campaign taps into an audience of over 100 million viewers, significantly expanding its reach.
- This initiative reflects a strategic effort by MLS to capitalize on Messi's star power to attract new fans and increase engagement with the league.
3. 🏆 Messi's Stellar Performance Boosts Inter Miami
- Inter Miami has experienced a significant boost in performance and attention since Messi joined the team.
- The start of Major League Soccer's 30th season was highlighted by Apple's strategic advertisement featuring Messi, indicating his central role in promoting the league.
- Messi's involvement is leveraged in major marketing campaigns, such as the Apple TV advertisement aired after the Super Bowl, showcasing his influence beyond the field.
4. 🔝 Financial Gains from Messi's Influence
- Inter Miami achieved a record 74 regular season points last year with Messi's influence.
- Messi's presence helped Inter Miami generate a league-leading $180 million in revenue.
- The club reported $50 million in operating income for 2024, driven by Messi's impact.
5. 📈 MLS Revenue Soars with Sponsorship Deals
5.1. Impact of Messi's Move on Subscriber Growth
5.2. Significant Increase in Sponsorship Revenue
6. 🏟️ Team Valuations and Revenue Diversification
- The average team value in the league has increased to $690 million, marking a 121% rise since 2019.
- LAFC remains the most valuable team in MLS with an estimated worth of $1.25 billion, indicating strong market presence and brand value.
- Inter Miami follows closely as the second most valuable team at $1.2 billion, reflecting its strategic market positioning and recent high-profile player acquisitions.
- The LA Galaxy ranks third with a valuation of $1 billion, highlighting its historical significance and consistent fan engagement.
- Atlanta United FC and New York City FC round out the top five with valuations of $975 million and $875 million, respectively, showcasing diversified revenue streams and solid fan bases.
- Sporting Kansas City moved its match against Inter Miami to Arrowhead Stadium, achieving a club record attendance of 72,1, demonstrating the drawing power of star players and strategic scheduling.
- The increase in team valuations is driving revenue diversification, with clubs investing in stadium upgrades, international partnerships, and digital fan engagement strategies.
7. 💰 Inter Miami's Growth and Strategic Challenges
- Inter Miami's valuation has doubled over the past two years, demonstrating rapid financial growth and strong market positioning within MLS.
- The club projects a revenue of $150 million for 2024, with an operating income of $12 million, showcasing solid financial health yet indicating potential for further growth.
- Despite these achievements, Inter Miami is not yet the most valuable team in MLS, signifying opportunities for strategic improvements.
- The team's corporate partnerships with major brands like Royal Caribbean, JP Morgan Chase, and Duracell highlight its enhanced commercial strength.
- Inter Miami's global preseason tour, covering regions from El Salvador to Saudi Arabia, underscores its international brand expansion efforts.
- The overall MLS growth rate has slowed to 5% from a previous 14%, presenting a broader challenge for sustained growth across the league.
8. 🔮 Preparing for MLS's Post-Messi Era
- Inter Miami is implementing long-term financial stability measures by securing sponsorships and luxury suite contracts that extend up to a decade, ensuring a steady revenue stream even after Messi's tenure.
- Team owner Jorge Mas is planning for Messi's potential return in 2026, coinciding with the move to a new 25,000-seat stadium, which is part of a $1 billion development project.
- Historically, MLS teams have faced revenue declines following the departure of star players, as evidenced by the LA Galaxy's experience post-David Beckham in 2012.
- To maintain high valuations and mitigate the fact that 16 MLS teams currently operate at a loss, the league is focusing on generating national-level revenue, which is crucial for financial sustainability.
9. 📰 Conclusion and Future Prospects for MLS
- The World Cup being played on American soil in 2026 presents significant opportunities for growth and increased viewership for MLS.
- Full coverage and analysis can be found in Justin Burb's piece on Forbes.com.
- Engagement with major international events like the World Cup can boost the profile and popularity of domestic leagues such as MLS.
- MLS plans to leverage the World Cup by enhancing local marketing efforts, improving fan engagement through digital platforms, and partnering with international clubs to increase its global footprint.
- Challenges such as competition from other sports and maintaining player development pipelines are noted, but strategic partnerships and youth academies are expected to mitigate these risks.