Inter Miami has rapidly become the most valuable football club in the United States in six years. Javier Asenci, Chief Business Officer of Inter Miami, discussed how this was achieved in an interview.
Asenci said: “Our revenue was $60 million the previous year, and then it exceeded $250 million the following year. It’s not all down to Messi, but he has certainly driven many achievements. For a club that’s only six years old to be number one for the first time is incredible.”
Asenci worked at Barcelona for 10 years before joining Inter Miami in 2021. Speaking about working for club owners David Beckham and the Mas brothers, Asenci said: “It’s very challenging. They are the ones constantly pushing, helping and advising. They are ambitious and have achieved remarkable results. With Messi, Inter Miami has become the most valuable club in MLS, and a new stadium is also going to be built in Miami. Everything is turning from a dream into reality; that’s their vision. I don’t know if it fully meets their expectations, but they certainly aim high.”
Messi’s arrival in 2023 changed Inter Miami’s fortunes and raised the club’s global profile, with its commercial influence strengthened significantly. Asenci said: “Excluding broadcasting revenue, we are ranked 17th globally. It’s crazy.”
Signing a player like Messi is one thing; leveraging his influence is another. Asenci pointed out that XBTO, Inter Miami’s main jersey partner at the time, included a clause in the contract stating that revenue would increase substantially if the club signed a Ballon d’Or winner: “Someone thought of this back in 2021 and signed the relevant clause. Messi was the catalyst that made it all happen. Of course, we had to plant the seeds in advance.”
Last year, Messi extended his contract with Inter Miami until 2028, and the new stadium is set to open next month, with the first match against Austin FC. Asenci said: “This is a permanent home and means a great deal to the club.”
However, MLS’s complex regulatory system has been a factor hindering Inter Miami’s growth, although the league hopes to expand its influence thanks to this year’s World Cup. Asenci said: “It’s a good thing, but I don’t think it will be a game-changer like the 1994 World Cup.”
MLS is continuing to evolve. Last year, the league confirmed that the schedule will align with European leagues from 2027, which will undoubtedly help clubs operate in the transfer market – a change Asenci welcomed.
Three of the five highest-paid players in MLS are at Inter Miami, with a total wage bill of around £36.3 million. Asenci said: “Football is a global sport; salary caps make no sense. It’s not like the NFL. If Mahomes didn’t play in the NFL, he’d have nowhere else to go, because there’s no other league for American football, right? Football is played all over the world. That’s a decision MLS club owners need to make.”
“We want to win more trophies, keep growing revenue, remain the most valuable team in MLS, strive to sign the best players to help Messi keep winning, plan for the future, and continue to expand our brand influence using the platform we have.”
