In an unprecedented display of sports entrepreneurship and strategic acumen, Jorge Mas, the billionaire proprietor of Inter Miami, has orchestrated the transformation of his soccer franchise into the Major League Soccer (MLS)’s second entity to breach the billion-dollar valuation mark. This remarkable feat was achieved through the high-profile acquisition of Lionel Messi, arguably the globe’s most illustrious soccer talent, thereby positioning Inter Miami at the pinnacle of professional soccer’s American echelon.
Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, within the AquaDome’s majestic spherical confines—the largest cruise ship globally—Mas unveiled a record-setting jersey sponsorship between Inter Miami and the cruise titan. This event also served as a platform to honour the vessel’s christening, attended by luminaries including the revered Argentine soccer maestro, Lionel Messi. This spectacle underscored the club’s meteoric rise from relative obscurity to a beacon of global recognition in less than a year—a transformation propelled by Messi’s arrival.
Under Mas’s stewardship, Inter Miami’s valuation has skyrocketed, now estimated by Forbes to exceed $1 billion, cementing its position as MLS’s second-most valuable club. This valuation uptick reflects a broader financial windfall, with the franchise’s revenue doubling to $118 million in 2023—a figure anticipated to surpass $200 million in the ensuing year, fuelled by Messi-induced fervour across ticket sales, strategic advertising partnerships, and an unparalleled global preseason tour.
Mas, a Miami native and progeny of Cuban exiles, has diverged from his original aspirations in baseball due to an injury, subsequently pivoting to a successful business career. His foray into sports franchise ownership was catalysed by an invitation from MLS Commissioner Don Garber in 2018 to join forces with David Beckham in establishing an expansion team in South Florida. This partnership, rooted in a shared vision for the sport’s proliferation in Miami, has since flourished into a successful endeavour.
The acquisition of Messi, a calculated gamble that has yielded exponential returns for Inter Miami, was the culmination of Mas’s relentless pursuit and a testament to his foresight. Despite Messi’s potential nearing its twilight, Mas is adamant about leveraging this momentum to sustain the club’s ascendancy, with strategic initiatives aimed at enticing additional top-tier talent to Miami. This approach is not only aimed at fortifying Inter Miami’s competitive stature but also at enhancing the MLS’s overall appeal and marketability on a global scale.
Mas’s vision extends beyond the immediate gratification of Messi’s tenure; it encompasses a strategic blueprint for the MLS’s evolution into a premier destination for soccer’s elite, underpinned by advantageous climatic, cultural, and fiscal attributes inherent to Miami. This ambition is bolstered by a comprehensive media strategy, epitomised by a lucrative partnership with Apple, designed to maximise the league’s global outreach and revenue generation capabilities.
In essence, Jorge Mas’s venture into sports franchise ownership, culminating in the strategic coup of securing Lionel Messi, has not only redefined Inter Miami’s trajectory but also set a new benchmark for sports entrepreneurship. Through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted commitment to the sport’s growth, Mas has indelibly imprinted his legacy on the MLS and the broader sporting landscape.