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Messi Magic, Beckham Brilliance Why MLS Clubs Are Now Worth BILLIONS!

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Hageman | Last updated May 9, 2025 12:58 PM ET

Major League Soccer (MLS) has now cemented its place as a global soccer powerhouse. In 2025, 19 MLS clubs rank among the world’s 50 most valuable, outpacing any other league, according to Sportico. Five teams, LAFC ($1.28 billion), Inter Miami ($1.19 billion), LA Galaxy ($1.11 billion), Atlanta United ($1.08 billion), and New York City FC ($1 billion), now boast valuations exceeding $1 billion.

This marks a stunning leap since 2023, when no MLS club had crossed the billion-dollar threshold. The league’s 29 teams are collectively worth $20.9 billion, a 6% increase from 2024. Key drivers include a stable, centralized ownership model and the absence of relegation, which shields clubs from financial volatility, but differs in that way from most, if not all major soccer leagues worldwide.

The absence of relegation from the MLS helps with financial stability

The Beckham effect laid the foundation. David Beckham’s 2007 move to LA Galaxy sparked mainstream interest in MLS, while his ownership of Inter Miami brought global credibility. His vision attracted Lionel Messi in 2023, supercharging Inter Miami’s valuation from $600 million to $1.2 billion by 2025.

Messi’s impact reverberates league-wide. His presence doubled Inter Miami’s revenue to $190 million in 2024, per Forbes, and boosted MLS Season Pass subscriptions on Apple TV. Clubs hosting Messi’s Inter Miami, like Sporting Kansas City with a record 72,610 fans, saw massive gate revenue spikes

Unlike European giants, MLS clubs lean heavily on local revenue, over 85% of their $2.2 billion total in 2024. Real estate and team-related businesses, such as NWSL clubs owned by MLS owners, further inflate valuations. Soccer-specific stadiums, like Inter Miami’s upcoming Miami Freedom Park, enhance fan experiences and revenue streams.

The Premier League, valued at $34.7 billion, remains the global leader, dwarfing MLS’s $15.6 billion cumulative valuation. Real Madrid ($6.53 billion) and Manchester United ($6.09 billion) top individual club rankings. Yet, MLS’s growth trajectory, fueled by strategic media deals with Apple and upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup, signals untapped potential.

Beckham and Messi have been pivotal, but structural strengths sustain MLS’s rise. The single-entity model, where the league owns player contracts, ensures cost control and parity. This stability, paired with cultural shifts toward soccer in North America, positions MLS for continued ascent.

Challenges remain, as over half of MLS clubs operate at a loss. The Apple TV deal, while lucrative at $2.5 billion over 10 years, demands high production costs. Still, with Messi’s star power and Beckham’s business acumen, MLS is no longer a fringe player, it’s a global contender. Watch out EPL, the MLS is coming for you!

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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