MLS aims for $500 million deal post-Messi's Inter Miami tenure

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.

• 7:39 PMYahoo Sports — MLS want to strike $500m deal when Lionel Messi leaves Inter Miami