Inter Miami’s Chief Business Officer on Messi, MLS and USA – Sportico.com

On the latest episode of La Previa, hosts Asli Pelit and Boris Gartner speak with Xavier Asensi, the chief business officer of Inter Miami CF.

Asensi joined Inter in 2021 after working for Barcelona CF for 10 years, where he most recently served as blaugrana’s chief commercial officer and was a member of the club’s executive board.    

According to Asensi, the business of soccer is the same everywhere. “At least how the football business is structured. There are three organic income streams: game-day revenue, media rights and sponsors. A healthy club is the one that has 30% coming from these streams,” he said. In the United States the only difference is the clubs’ income is much smaller.  “Either because of the cultural aspect, or because of the level of the deal. But, basically, the business is the same. It’s football here, it’s football in Europe, and it’s football in Latin America. It’s the same business.”

In May, the South Florida franchise announced the seven time Ballon D’Or and 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi will play for Miami. “I think the league has a before and after the arrival of Lionel [Messi],” Asensi said. “And obviously for the team and the city of Miami.”

Inter Miami is projecting $200 million in revenue in 2024, more than triple the target set before the Argentine’s arrival to South Florida franchise. In addition to the revenue hike, Asensi said Messi will have a huge impact on soccer in the U.S. “Messi’s arrival to the U.S. is up there with Pele and David Beckham,” Asensi said.

Last year, Sportico valued Inter Miami FC at $585 million, 10th highest in the league, before Messi’s signing.

The hosts also discuss Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s new $100 million investment in Professional Fight League.