MLS aims for $500 million deal post-Messi's Inter Miami tenure
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 7:39 PM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Major League Soccer (MLS) is negotiating for a substantial media rights deal valued between $400 million and $500 million for the next cycle. This ambition follows a marked increase in ticket sales after the FIFA World Cup, where Lionel Messi's Argentina reached the final. MLS's outgoing president, Don Garber, has expressed confidence in challenging the English Premier League's commercial dominance. As Messi is expected to retire before the next rights cycle, MLS anticipates leveraging his popularity to secure a lucrative agreement. Current contracts provide revenue of approximately $250-275 million, shared among teams until 2029.
- •MLS targets a media rights deal worth $400-500 million.
- •Ticket sales surged after the FIFA World Cup final.
- •Lionel Messi's popularity is a key asset for MLS.
- •Current media contracts generate $250-275 million for teams.
- •Garber aims to position MLS against the Premier League.
- 7:39 PMYahoo Sports — MLS want to strike $500m deal when Lionel Messi leaves Inter Miami
"After the commercial success of the World Cup, MLS is seeing dollar signs. Ticket sales have boomed since the final on 19 July, when Lionel Messi’s Argentina were vanquished by Spain.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- EPL•Jul 28, 2026, 8:50 PMChelsea hold firm stance on Pedro Neto as Enzo Maresca eyes reunion at Manchester City
- EPL•Jul 28, 2026, 7:05 PMLiverpool deal for £77m FIFA World Cup-winning forward within reach
- EPL•Jul 28, 2026, 5:10 PMSky Sports reveal what sources close to Bradley Barcola said about Liverpool talks
- EPL•Jul 28, 2026, 4:50 PMReport: Liverpool preparing blockbuster move for Salah successor
- EPL•Jul 28, 2026, 4:30 PMArsenal suffers blow as target agrees deal to join club outside England
- EPL•Jul 28, 2026, 2:05 PMPSG ruled out of chase for world class midfielder by latest Spanish report
