Despite having the biggest figure in world soccer, MLS is facing a statistical reality that has surprised sports analysts and has put the focus on everything surrounding the world of sports and entertainment.
A recent financial and audience report reveals that while Lionel Messi has boosted Inter Miami’s revenue, the league’s fan base is still struggling to consolidate, showing unexpected similarities with much smaller leagues such as Unrivaled.
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Messi’s financial success versus royal audience
The economic impact of the Argentine star’s arrival in 2024 is undeniable. Inter Miami managed to generate an impressive $180 million in revenue, becoming the driving force behind the league. Thanks to this boost, Apple TV subscriptions doubled and sponsorships grew by 13%.
However, behind these million-dollar figures, the broadcast numbers tell a more conservative story. According to data from commissioner Don Garber, the MLS Season Pass averaged just 120,000 viewers per game during the 2025 season. This figure has put into perspective the true reach of soccer on premium streaming platforms, especially when compared to new projects in other sports.
The comparison with Unrivaled and the minor league crisis
The most striking comparison comes with Unrivaled, the women’s 3×3 basketball league that recently started its second season. Despite being a much younger sports property, its cable television viewership numbers are very similar to those of MLS on Apple TV.
While Unrivaled averages between 71,000 and 175,000 viewers on its main days, MLS remains stuck in a similar range. This parity suggests that even with a $2.5 billion contract and a global superstar on the field, MLS has still not made the definitive leap to the mass American audience, facing the same “headwinds” as leagues trying to survive in their first or second year.
