MLS targets $400-500 million U.S. TV deal as Messi boosts league profile
Major League Soccer is aiming for a $400-500 million U.S. media rights contract, leveraging the surge in interest sparked by Lionel Messi’s World Cup run.
Ticket demand surged after Lionel Messi’s Argentina reached the World Cup final in New Jersey, reinforcing Major League Soccer’s commercial momentum. The league, led by long-time president Don Garber, signed a five-year rights partnership with Apple TV in 2023 that allocates about $250-275 million to its clubs. Looking ahead to the next rights window, MLS is targeting a contract in the $400-500 million range, a figure that would match the Premier League’s U.S. deal and surpass the struggling Ligue 1 agreement.
One outlet reported the ambition, noting that Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023, is likely to retire before that cycle, yet his marketability continues to drive expectations. The push comes as FIFA president Gianni Infantino contemplates selling a stake in the governing body, highlighting broader commercial shifts in global soccer. MLS hopes the strategy will cement its position as a premier revenue generator in the sport.
Why it matters
A larger TV deal could boost MLS revenues and challenge European leagues for U.S. market share.
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