What Messi joining MLS could mean for Minnesota soccer fans
So the world's greatest soccer star is finally coming to America to ply his trade full time... reportedly.
Guillem Balague, a veteran Spanish journalist who has known Lionel Messi for years and wrote a biography on the star, reported Wednesday morning that Messi will be joining Inter Miami of Major League Soccer.
The terms of the deal are not yet known but they certainly aren't in the ballpark of the offer that was reportedly on the table from Saudi Arabian clubs (around $435 million annually).
Now that it seems likelier than ever that MLS has landed its dream player, it begs the question of what it means for Minnesota soccer fans who have been turning out for Loons games at Allianz Field this year.
Well, nothing right now, unfortunately.
Miami are not on the Loons' schedule this season, so the only chance they could meet is in the finals of the Leagues Cup this July and August.
The closest Miami are scheduled to get to Allianz Field is an Oct. 4 trip to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Fire.
When David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007, clubs across the country tried latching onto the Beckham hype by hosting exhibition games with the LA squad, including the Minnesota Thunder in a game at the Metrodome in November 2007.
Could something similar be on the way for Inter Miami and Messi? It's certainly possible.
With Messi reportedly being offered a share of the Apple TV subscription revenue (Apple holds global TV/streaming rights for MLS) and Adidas revenue (Adidas is the sole jersey provider to the league) there will certainly be owners that want a chunk of the Messi hype soon to engulf the league.
The schedule for next season is still unknown (MLS released the schedule for the 2023 season in December of 2022), but it's possible Miami could be set for a visit to Allianz Field in 2024.
Minnesota United played at Miami in 2022 and lost 2-1. Miami joined MLS in 2020 and have yet to play in Minnesota.
Either way, Messi joining MLS is big for the league, which in turn is big for Minnesota United.
Getting a global superstar brings more viewers. More viewers means more sponsors. More sponsors means more money. More money means better players.
Even if Minnesota United don't get to host the Messi experience, their pocketbook will certainly feel the effect of arguably the sport's greatest player ever joining the league they play in.
