Why Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi deal isn’t done yet; MLS, Apple pushing for All-Star involvement
Why Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi deal isn’t done yet; MLS, Apple pushing for All-Star involvement
Lionel Messi’s announcement on Wednesday that he intends to come to Major League Soccer to play for Inter Miami was one of the most important moments in the history of MLS and American soccer. It was also one for which the league was not prepared. Multiple league and team sources confirmed that MLS ...
No contract between Messi and MLS has been signed, or even finalized, and the lack of an agreement has had a ripple effect on how the league and Inter Miami promote Messi’s arrival. It has also impacted the timeline of multiple deals being negotiated in tandem with Messi’s contract, from a new coach to the players set to join Messi in the summer transfer window.
In the article, it sounds like Fox Sports announced the deal, but the deal hasn't been completed and MLS wasn't ready to announce. This puts them in a tough spot, and if the deal doesn't go through, they might have a legal avenue to seek compensation from Fox. However, going after broadcast networks when you are a pro sports league is tricky, since that's your main revenue source.
Please don't make involvement in the All-Star game the reason he doesn't sign! The All-Star game is not a focal point of the league for anyone. I am a huge MLS fan and I'll usually skip the All-Star game just to get my beauty rest.
I think it'd be silly to have him play in the MLS all star game before he has even debuted with Miami..but I guess it's up to him 🤷♂️
Interesting read! Looking forward to his arrival, hopefully he gets backed up in the transfer window and Miami makes some other good signings.
Messi gets to do basically whatever he wants in MLS. But I think it would be silly for him to make his MLS debut in an All-Star game.