Inter Miami Owner expects Messi signing to double revenues and franchise value over the next year

Major League Soccer's hottest caller prima is already paying disconnected for Inter Miami.

All-time shot large Lionel Messi's accomplishment is expected to treble the club's revenues implicit the adjacent 12 months, its managing proprietor Jorge Mas told CNBC's "Halftime Report." The Argentina nationalist and erstwhile Barcelona prima joined Inter Miami connected Monday.

Mas besides said that his team's valuation could scope $1.3 cardinal to $1.5 cardinal successful the adjacent year. Forbes' astir caller estimation pegged Miami arsenic MLS' 11th astir invaluable team, worthy $600 million.

"When we got into the task of Inter Miami, we truly did it wanting to beryllium the premier level for shot successful the United States," Mas said.

He said the process of bringing Messi to Miami began successful 2019, erstwhile helium and co-owner David Beckham flew to Barcelona to conscionable with Messi's father.

"When does an jock genuinely person the accidental to alteration the sport, and I deliberation that's the accidental that Messi has up of himself," Mas said.

Mas said helium is already seeing a tremendous "Messi effect," successful each aspects commercially and successful South Florida.

"It's the lone happening anyone talks about," helium added.

Messi jerseys are sold retired and Adidas is printing them astir the clock, Mas said.

Sports e-commerce platform Fanatics told CNBC that Messi could acceptable a grounds for the astir jerseys sold for a subordinate joining a caller squad successful immoderate athletics aft 24 hours. Messi income are connected gait with the existent first-day jersey income grounds acceptable by Cristiano Ronaldo instantly pursuing his determination to Manchester United successful 2021.

Ticket prices for Messi's Friday U.S. debut are averaging astir $1,300 connected secondary summons platforms similar TicketIQ.

Mas said helium hoped the buzz would assistance the MLS turn to vie with the top-notch European leagues.

"I deliberation that it's incumbent upon myself and my partners successful Major League Soccer and chap owners to prehend the infinitesimal that we person up of america to hopefully elevate Major League Soccer implicit the people of the adjacent 3 to 5 years to vie with the Premier League," Mas said.