Inter Miami has been on the rise following the arrival of Lionel Messi. Miami recently released their season ticket prices for the upcoming season, significantly hiking the prices. While this could be a big source of business for the club, which has made record-breaking sales of tickets and merchandise sales, not everyone is impressed with their actions. A former USMNT legend slammed Inter Miami, as he called them out for taking advantage of the fans.
Lionel Messi missed out on the majority of games last month due to injury and international duty. With the player still injured, Miami’s decision to hike ticket prices has been received with massive outrage among fans and experts.
Herculez Gomez slams Inter Miami for outrageously hiking their prices
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Former USMNT legend and EPSN host Herculez Gomez and his fellow co-host Sebastian Salazar touched down at David Beckham-owned Inter Miami on Futbol Americas.
“I’m trying to be as diplomatic as I can, as fair as I can. I live in Los Angeles and there are crazy fans who spend crazier amounts of money. Well, they are trying to be like the Lakers, and at some point to get there you have to do something to get there. Just having Messi won’t be enough. Price gauging like that can be seen as taking advantage of the fans,” said Gomez.
He added, “What will you offer fans for having one of the highest ticket prices on the market? Is it just Lionel Messi? You want a winning product. If you charge this amount of money for what’s on the stand, you lose culture, you lose grassroots, you lose credibility.”
While Herculez went all in with his criticism, his co-host seemed to have a different opinion. Salazar defended the criticism against the club, noting he understood the club’s perspective.
Sebastian Salazar defends Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami from criticism
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Sebastian Salazar understood where the club was coming from. Gomez’s co-host countered the USMNT legend, claiming that fans are getting their money back watching Messi in action for Inter Miami.
“Well, somebody is getting rich here. Of all the problems I have with Inter Miami, this is not one. I think this is a fair representation of the change of value from one season to another if you add Lionel Messi. If I’m an Inter Miami fan, I may be bitter. I may be a little bit lighter in the wallet, but I know I can make my money back,” said Salazar.
On whether the hike was worth it, he said, “Whatever I’m paying, I know that as long as Lionel Messi is playing, I’ll get my money back. This deserves to be the most expensive ticket in the MLS. Honestly, it deserves to be the most expensive ticket in American sports.”
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Inter Miami has been under the pounder after hiking their season ticket prices. According to the Miami Herald, the cheapest tickets that cost $28.52 per game at the DNV Park Stadium have been bumped to $52 for the upcoming season. It has been also reported that the expensive tickets such as the reserved suites have almost doubled in cost rising up to $46,000.
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