Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer has had a significant impact, not just on the field but also on Apple’s bottom line. Since joining Inter Miami, tickets for their games have seen a substantial surge in prices. Moreover, subscriptions to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass have more than doubled with Messi’s entry into the US.
According to Jorge Mas, one of Inter Miami’s owners, Spanish language viewership on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV has surpassed 50 percent for Messi matches and is continuing to rise. This further highlights Messi’s popularity within the Spanish-speaking community. Apple CEO Tim Cook retweeted Mas’ comments, authenticating the claims made.
While Apple has not disclosed the exact number of subscribers to the service, reports from July suggested it was approaching 1 million before Messi’s arrival. Regardless, Apple is evidently pleased with the impact Messi has had on MLS Season Pass.
During an Apple earnings call, Cook expressed delight with the partnership, stating, ‘For MLS, we could not be happier with how the partnership is going. It’s clearly in the early days, but we are surpassing our subscriber expectations, and Messi joining Inter Miami has certainly helped us in that regard.’
Apple, which reduced the subscription price from $99 to $49 for the second half of the season, is reportedly paying $250 million per year for the MLS broadcast rights. As part of his Inter Miami contract, Messi is said to be receiving a portion of the revenue from new MLS Season Pass subscribers.
In Miami, Messi’s impact has been nothing short of remarkable. In just four games, he has already scored seven goals and provided three assists, leading Miami to victories in all of these matches. Before Messi’s arrival, Miami had gone 11 games without a win.
Despite being 36 years old, an age when most soccer players begin to wind down their careers, Messi continues to perform at an exceptional level. He led Argentina to a World Cup victory last December and helped PSG secure consecutive French league championships before moving to the US. Consequently, Messi is the overwhelming favorite to clinch the Ballon d’Or, arguably the most prestigious individual award in soccer, for an unprecedented eighth time.
Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass subscriptions gaining momentum reflects Messi’s immense popularity and the excitement he has generated through his move to the US. As the partnership continues to thrive, Apple is reaping the benefits of having the legendary soccer player as a driving force behind their MLS coverage.
