MLS
How much does MLS make from sponsors? NFL and NBA lead on revenue
American soccer’s top division is close to overtaking NHL on sponsorship revenue and has been boosted further by Lionel Messi’s arrival.
MLS is closing the financial gap on the other major American sports leagues, even before the arrival of Lionel Messi is analysed.
An IEG report has found that the MLS generated a total sponsorship revenue of $680 million in the 2022 season, putting it just $70 million short of the $750 million generated by the NHL.
The NFL leads the way with an astonishing $1.88 billion in total revenue, putting it comfortably ahead of the NBA ($1.64bn) and MLB ($1.19bn).
IEG’s global managing director Peter Laatz described the NFL as “the perfect example of doing more with less.”
“Its sponsorship revenue tops all U.S. sports leagues with fewer games, limited branding and minimal broadcast-visible signage,” Laatz added.
How much is Lionel Messi worth to MLS?
The analyse compares the previous completed season, meaning that the figures do not factor in the incredible impact that Lionel Messi has had on the league. Messi’s arrival has sparked huge global interest in the league and made MLS a much more appealing proposition for would-be sponsors.
Last month AS USA reported that the league’s broadcast partner, Apple, had already exceeded their early expectations for subscriber numbers. All MLS games are available to stream on Apple TV’s Season Pass after Apple struck a $2.5 billion deal to hold exclusive rights for the league for the next decade.
Apple CEO Tim Cook explained: “We are beating our expectation in terms of subscribers, and the fact that Messi went to Inter Miami helped us out there a bit. So we’re very excited about it.”
With Apple’s enormous sponsorship deal and Messi’s arrival both coming into effect in 2023, MLS’s sponsorship revenue could be a lot higher going forward.