Lionel Messi, Inter Miami change LA-area hotel amid workers’ strike

Soccer

By Ryan Glasspiegel

September 2, 2023 | 11:38am

Inter Miami, the MLS team that includes soccer legend Lionel Messi, has reportedly switched hotels in the Los Angeles area due to striking workers.

The team was originally scheduled to check into the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica on Friday before playing against LAFC on Sunday, but Unite Here Local 11 spokesperson Maria Hernandez told Reuters that the team listened to the union’s pleas not to patronize the hotel.

“Thank you to the great Lionel Messi and his team mates for agreeing to move from the hotel and stand in solidarity with striking workers!” the union told the outlet in a statement.

Thousands of hotel workers in the Los Angeles region are striking to demand higher pay after the last several years of inflation, including housekeepers, bellmen, cooks and servers at the Fairmont Miramar.

The MLS Players Association applauded Inter Miami for their solidarity.

“The MLSPA is proud to stand with the striking workers at the Fairmont Miramar and other LA area hotels, and we applaud the decision by MLS and Inter Miami to change hotels this weekend,” the MLS Players Association said in a statement.

“We urge all of the hotels to reach fair contracts with their workers ASAP.”

Messi has driven an immense level of interest in his short time in the MLS.

For example, in New York when Inter Miami played the Red Bulls, tickets averaged $496 apiece on reseller site Vivid Seats.

“Messi’s MLS debut ticket featuring Messi’s Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls is more in-demand than any NFL team from last season, based on average price,” a Vivid Seats spokesperson told The Post.

Messi has scored 11 goals in 10 games since joining Inter Miami in July.