The MLS project as it currently stands has a projection of about 5-10 years, if the current Apple deal isn't worth going the full distance (2033), Apple can opt out in 2028. More pessimistic TV people think Apple will pull the opt out as things stand and potentially renegotiate but at this moment the MLS is not generating money, it's an investment in the future. For this deal to go the distance, it's key to have names on the screen that people know and want to watch. Seeing the actual Messi play to his current ability is worth more for that purpose than probably having a guy that plays closer to what Messi was at his peak that is not called Messi. By the way i'm fascinated with the effort of bringing football to the US, mostly because i'm loosely involved with projects that bring tackle and flag football to europe. So i try to look for differences and similarities.
Ok, guess I wasn't clear. When I wrote MLS in general is basically "Messi & Friends" I was referring to the fact that the entire league revolves around Messi. Not just Inter Miami.
Borussia Dortmund are pushing to sign Jobe Bellingham (19/) IMMEDIATELY - they want him available already for the FIFA Club World Cup. No agreement with the player yet. #BVB are respecting that Jobe has a crucial match with Sunderland on Sunday vs Sheffield. But Dortmund are preparing an offer and plan to submit it after Saturday. BVB don’t feel they are in pole position but still pushing hard. Price tag: €25-30m. @SkySportDE ⚫️🟡 Borussia Dortmund are pushing to sign Jobe Bellingham (19/🏴) IMMEDIATELY - they want him available already for the FIFA Club World Cup.No agreement with the player yet. #BVB are respecting that Jobe has a crucial match with Sunderland on Sunday vs Sheffield. But Dortmund…— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) May 19, 2025
Looks like Wirtz rejected City and their PR through the likes of Romano claiming City backed out because the deal is too expensive.
They are in PSR trouble, don't forget. Also Romano seems to get info straight from Eberl. There's an easy line to trace there
Wouldn't you want the game to get more attention around the world? Miami doing well is good for the sport in the US. Thats what it boils down to.
Seen quite a bit of him over the last 1-2 seasons and he isn't close to where Jude was. This feels a move underpinned by his surname. If he was Jobe Smith, Dortmund and many others would have no interest. Hope I am wrong and he has great success though.
I don't think anyone thinks he's the level of Jude at the same age. But he has 100+ appearance at 19 in the Championship, and his metrics are very good. He's exactly the type of player Dortmund go after, regardless of his name.
Yea. Jobe not in the league of Jude talentwise. I am rooting for him to have a good career like Thorgan Hazard had.
I'm with you there, seems lazy, lacking imagination and an effort to catch lightning in a bottle twice. Very much what Dortmund fans have criticized the club for.
Szczesny's son does a SPECTACULAR bicycle kick and his father stops the ball and doesn't let it go in. 📹‼️ ¡Este es el vídeo del que está hablando Sique Rodríguez en el #CarruselCanalla! 🤣🧤 El hijo de Szczesny hace una chilena ESPECTACULAR y su padre para el balón y no le deja que entrepic.twitter.com/JQPj7sp7Ex— Carrusel Deportivo (@carrusel) May 18, 2025
Miami (Messi &FriendsFC) isn’t good for the game here. The Apple TV deal handicaps the league exposure as most people don’t have it and are not going to pay 14.99 a month on top of the other subscriptions they already have. The money doesn’t go far either. Here’s a good breakdown, where the spend/player in the MLS is still far below European leagues. https://www.americansocceranalysis....rs will get 12.5% of,time the deal was struck. Messi is just a sugar high that will fade as soon as he leaves to Argentina and a bunch of fair weather “fans” will tossing out those pink kits to the rubbish bin. The MLS has bigger issues to grow successfully but those will never get solved. It will always be battling the NHL for 4th in terms of popularity. Globally it will always be known as “The burger league”
Nice article by Sid Lowe about Villarreal and Marcelino. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-villarreal-takes-village-to-champions-league
The issue the MLS has is that the sport is a niche sport. So big known names help. A kid that watched Messi in person now might pick up the sport.
The kids who are watching Messi live are already playing, as they have the means to do so. The main problem is our youth soccer is a pay to play system. This foundational problem is what holds the country back as far as growth for the sport, ie our leagues, players and US National Team. Even the MLS academies still charge the players believe it or not. There is a running joke that if you add the word “elite” to your club name you can charge extra.
Everyone hating on my hometown club I do share the gripe with regards to the Apple TV deal. It's ridiculous that locals can watch the Dolphins, Heat, Marlins, Panthers for free but they have to pay Apple TV + MLS Season Pass to watch a team in their backyard. I get it for the rest of the country, but the fact the locals have to go through two paywalls is nuts. But with regards to the results, Inter Miami had a great season last year but had a piss poor offseason weakening both the midfield and backline. It's no surprise they're leaking goals right now. Reminds me of a club in Spain
Probably, I didn’t check the rankings that come out every year. College football is ahead of both NBA and MLB so it shows how popular American football is.