The Growing Value of Inter Miami: A Look at MLS's Richest Club
Inter Miami has emerged as Major League Soccer's most valuable club, with a worth of $1.45 billion, outpacing LAFC at $1.4 billion. Find out how the club's value skyrocketed and what it means for the league's future growth.
Inter Miami are now Major League Soccer’s most valuable club, valued at a league-high $1.45 billion, according to Sportico’s latest MLS valuations. The club leads five teams worth more than $1B, ahead of LAFC ($1.4B), as total MLS franchise value climbs to $23B across 30 teams, reflecting continued growth across the league.According to the figures compiled by Sportico, Inter Miami have had a staggering rise from its pre-Messi valuation of $585 million. The club has also seen a projected 75 percent increase in revenue, with estimates pointing toward $250 million in revenue by 2026, a figure unmatched elsewhere in MLS.Los Angeles FC were the previous leaders and are now second at $1.4 billion. Here is the top five: The average franchise value has reached $767 million, and collectively all MLS franchises were worth a combined $23 billion. The average franchise saw its value grow 39 percent from Sportico's 2021 valuations. However, there were some concerns about the growing disparity between the league's haves and have-nots. Inter Miami is worth 3.4 times the amount of CF Montreal ($480 million). With national TV revenues not as robust as the NBA, NFL, and other counterparts, that could impact the quality of what's on the pitch. According to Sportico, MLS teams only net $5 million in revenue after production costs from Apple. By comparison, NHL teams net around $40 million. Also, even as team values rise, some ownership groups are having a hard time selling their clubs. The Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes have struggled in this respect. “We had like more than 30, almost 40 groups who signed an NDA and went into our data room and did a full analysis on our situation,” Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster told Sportico. “Not one single one is interested in buying even 1% of this club, because all of them think that our setup here, the market and the situation we are in is not something where you can invest.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingMLS is less than two weeks out from kicking off its season, with Matchday 1 getting underway on Feb. 21.
Inter Miami's Meteoric Rise
Inter Miami has seen a remarkable ascension in its valuation, now standing at $1.45 billion, demonstrating a substantial increase from its previous worth of $585 million. The club's acquisition of Lionel Messi has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in this surge, with projected revenue estimates soaring by 75 percent, foretelling a revenue of $250 million by 2026. This exponential growth sets a new benchmark within MLS, underscoring Inter Miami's financial dominance.
Shift in MLS's Financial Landscape
The MLS landscape is witnessing a seismic shift as Inter Miami leapfrogs LAFC to claim the top spot as the most valuable franchise. With five clubs now valued above the $1 billion mark, the league's franchise value collectively ascends to $23 billion across 30 teams. While the average franchise value stands at $767 million, there are concerns emerging regarding the widening gap between affluent and struggling clubs.
Challenges and Opportunities for MLS
Despite the uptrend in team valuations, there are lingering challenges plaguing MLS's financial ecosystem. Issues like subpar national TV revenues and ownership groups grappling with selling clubs pose hurdles to sustained growth. Variances in revenue generation between MLS and other major leagues like NHL raise questions about the league's fiscal sustainability. As MLS gears up for the upcoming season kick-off on Feb. 21, the spotlight is on how clubs navigate these economic dynamics for a prosperous future.
