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Inter Miami named Sports Business Journal's Team of the Year

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Inter Miami has nearly a year of experience with Lionel Messi under its belt, and the Major League Soccer team continues to reach new heights since the Argentine World Cup winner's arrival last July.

Inter Miami beat three of the four reigning major sports champions to be named Team of the Year, while the signing of Messi was rewarded with Deal of the Year honors at the 2024 Sports Business Journal Awards Show in New York on Wednesday evening .

“With the signing of global superstar Lionel Messi, Inter Miami immediately became one of the most popular and recognizable American sports brands worldwide,” Sports Business Journal said in an online post announcing the award.

Messi's towering and global influence continues to leave a significant mark on and off the pitch at Inter Miami and the MLS, while also being at the center of the latest soccer push in the United States, this summer's 2024 Copa America, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

“It's just this impact that Leo has on the game and the world,” soccer legend and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said during a May 8 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” “One of the reasons we wanted to bring him to America was to inspire the next generation. That was my plan.”

“I obviously wanted to make him the player he is and the person he is. I've played against him many times – twice, thankfully – but I'm a fan of his and have watched him for many years. And I always had the plan to bring, in my opinion, the best player to ever play the game onto our team. Luckily it happened.”

Inter Miami is in first place in the MLS Eastern Conference. Three games remain before the start of the Copa America on June 20, where Messi will likely shine at a major tournament for the last time and cap a legendary career with Argentina.

After the Copa America, Messi will help Inter Miami defend its Leagues Cup title – the first league title in the club's four-year history, won last August after just seven games of his tenure with the team – and later this year the Aim for an MLS Cup title.

Off the field, Inter Miami has experienced unprecedented growth through online presence and stores. Inter Miami was the most Googled sports team in 2023, while Messi's Inter Miami jersey was the best-selling in MLS. Inter Miami has the third most followed sports team account on Instagram in the United States, behind the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

Inter Miami has also signed partnership deals with JP Morgan Chase to play at the newly named Chase Stadium. Royal Caribbean is the club's new shirt sponsor, while other companies such as Visa and Lowe's have come on board.

“It is really amazing how Inter Miami is becoming a cultural currency,” said Luciana Resende Lotze, Marketing Director for Visa Latin America and the Caribbean. “We see a lot of people who are in the [Inter Miami] Shirt. The pink is associated and recognizable. In this we see part of the culture and the people who want to be part of the experience and enjoy it.”

Gerardo Soto, Lowe's vice president of brand marketing and sports partnerships, noted the growth of soccer in the United States, “and I know Messi will be a big part of that by attracting that audience.”

Inter Miami beat out the reigning NFL Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning MLB World Series winners Texas Rangers, last year's NHL Stanley Cup winners Vegas Golden Knights and the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves in the Team of the Year vote.

Inter Miami's acquisition of Messi, which included an equity stake in the club after his retirement and a media rights deal with Apple TV, beat out the Josh Harris-led acquisition of the NFL's Washington Commanders, the UFC/WWE merger to form TKO Group Holdings, and media rights deals from NASCAR, the NCAA and the National Women's Soccer League in the competition for the title of the year.

Beckham, who is as famous around the world as Messi, convinced Messi to join Inter Miami by sharing his experience with MLS club LA Galaxy from 2007 to 2012. But it was Jorge Mas' unwavering pursuit of Messi that lasted several years before the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner decided that Inter Miami would be the pinnacle of his career.

“When we first began this journey five years ago, our desire was always to shine a light on South Florida and Miami and bring great people together to transform a sport in the United States of America,” said Jorge Mas, owner from Inter Miami earlier this year.

“When people around the world think about football and South Florida, they are particularly focused on what we do and what we accomplish.”

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