How Messi’s Inter Miami deal could change football
Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group, was quoted in MSN on Lionel Messi's contract with Inter Miami and the multiple financial and other benefits that are part of the deal. The article noted that the deal is reportedly worth up to $150 million total with salary, signing bonus and equity in the team. In addition, the article reports that terms with MLS, Adidas and Apple were negotiated along with a percentage cut of all new paid subscriptions to MLS Season Pass.
Kishner stated, “[t]hat deal has never been given to anybody in baseball, basketball, football, and so it's very unique. It's a generational-type thing, and it's hard to think if you would ever see anything comparable.”
The article further notes that the "ripple effect of Messi's mega contract at Inter Miami could trickle down to smaller leagues." While there are few athletes that can match Messi's standing, the idea of a star player boosting viewership is one that could translate across the globe.
Messi's contract runs through 2025, but if the option to extend is exercised, Messi will be playing in the MLS during the 2026 World Cup, which is hosted in the U.S.
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