32 Franchises Fail to Match the Lionel Messi Effect as Miami’s Good Fortunes Keep Soaring High

Miami is a hotbed for sporting royalty at the moment. Housing multiple greats, both active and retired, is taking the area’s heritage rating across the roof. As if Tom Brady shifting from Tampa to enjoy the sunny Miami beaches and Jimmy Butler’s Miami Heat playing in the NBA Final wasn’t enough, the city added a global superstar this week. World Cup winner and widely considered soccer GOAT Lionel Messi is coming to play for Inter Miami. And Miami’s sporting legacy isn’t the only thing on an exponential rise.

Besides the historic rise in ticket prices for David Beckham’s Major League Soccer franchise, the ‘Lionel Messi Effect’ is more palpable in another aspect. And it’s no minor feat. Inter Miami, the bottom-placed franchise in the MLS, has overshadowed every NFL, NHL, and MLB franchise in the country. So what did Inter Miami achieve in this very short span of time?

Inter Miami surpasses all 32 NFL franchises in social media popularity

Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi announced his decision to join Inter Miami in early June after turning down offers from the Saudi Pro League and his former club, FC Barcelona. The No. 10 penned a massive deal that includes profit sharing from Apple and Adidas’ MLS revenues. However, it’s not just the dribbling greatness that Messi brings with him. Being the second-most followed personality on Instagram comes with its own set of perks. Only behind the 589 million following of fellow soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, LM10’s 470 million Instagram following had a splatter effect in Miami this month.

Since the time of his announcement, the Inter Miami Instagram page’s following went from under a million followers to more than 7 million followers within a few days. This makes Inter Miami the most followed American sporting franchise, excluding the more popular NBA franchises like the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. However, Messi’s arrival has certainly outpaced America’s national pride, the NFL.

The New England Patriots are the most followed NFL franchise with a following of 4.9 million, courtesy of their six Lombardi trophies in the last two decades and a certain Tom Brady. The second on that list is the Dallas Cowboys who have a following of 4.5 million.

ALSO READ: After Michael Jordan-Like Offer From $32 Billion Brand, Lionel Messi Set to Bag 6X More Salary Than MLS’ Highest Paid Superstar

It’s not just the 32 NFL franchises that are lagging. Inter Miami also surpassed the following of every other MLB and NHL franchise. However, that is still nothing when compared to the sky-rocketing ticket prices in Miami after Messi’s signing announcement.

Fans can’t wait to watch Lionel Messi in action

$29. Yes, that is what Inter Miami was charging for season tickets before the Messi signing. Since then, ticket prices have risen a whopping sixteen times to $477. And Miami’s home and away tickets have sold out faster than ever. It’s not just Miami who have spiked their ticket prices. Other MLS franchises who are scheduled to play Inter Miami have also incorporated the Messi magic in their sales.

D.C. United has tickets at $3000, while Atlanta United has some seats going for $10,000.

Will Inter Miami claim the MLS title with LM10? And can Messi bring the MLS popularity to the main stage in the United States as the country gears up to host the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

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