Apple, Adidas Help MLS Snap Up Soccer Star Messi

Global soccer star Lionel Messi has agreed to join David Beckham’s U.S. team Inter Miami in a deal set to be backed by Apple and Adidas.

Messi, seen as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, revealed Inter Miami will be his next club after his exit from Paris Saint Germain, in an interview published by two daily newspapers in Barcelona Wednesday.
The 35-year-old, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in December, will earn a salary from the club but also be paid by Major League Soccer’s (MLS) two largest partners—Apple and Adidas, The Wall Street Journal reported. Apple announced a four-part documentary series about Messi on Tuesday, before news of his Miami move broke. The companies did not respond to a request for comment.
Apple and MLS agreed a 10-year deal worth $2.5 billion last year, giving the tech giant broadcast rights. Earlier this year, Adidas extended its apparel partnership with the league through 2030.
“Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest players of all time to our league,” MLS said in a statement.

What’s Next: Messi’s signature is a massive coup for MLS, particularly when Saudi Arabian teams have been offering players huge annual salaries, and it will undoubtedly help soccer grow in the U.S. As the league’s exclusive broadcaster, it’s also set to benefit Apple.

—Callum Keown from barrons