MLS: A Blueprint for Greatness

The United States constantly seeks to strengthen its soccer league, called Major League Soccer (MLS), with some significant signings since its founding in 1993. However, it was not until 2007 when LA Galaxy hired English superstar David Beckham that MLS's growth plans demonstrated real efforts.

Sixteen years later, dozens of world stars hired and a favorable economic balance, it can be seen that the MLS project not only works, it also promises to improve. But what is the point of progress in the different aspects of the US professional league?

Big stars that promoted the MLS

Since David Beckham was hired by the LA Galaxy in 2007 from Real Madrid of Spain, several stars decided to land in the MLS. For example, Frenchman Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls in 2010 from FC Barcelona. Similarly, the Italian Andrea Pirlo arrived at New York City in 2015 from Juventus.

Along the same lines, the Brazilian Ricardo Kaká landed at Orlando City in 2013 and the Englishman Frank Lampard arrived at New York City in 2015, at the same time as the Spanish David Villa. Likewise, the Englishman Steven Gerrard arrived at the LA Galaxy in 2015 and his compatriot Wayne Rooney landed at DC United in 2018. For his part, the Ivorian Didier Drogba decided to play for the Montreal Impact of Canada in 2015.

Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović also made it to MLS in 2018 with the LA Galaxy. German Bastian Schweinsteiger also served in MLS when he played for the Chicago Fire in 2017. Likewise, Welsh legend Gareth Bale played for Los Angeles FC in 2022 and Mexican legend Rafael Márquez joined the New York Red Bulls in 2010.

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Argentine Gonzalo Higuaín played for Inter Miami in 2020. Currently, MLS has Brazilian Douglas Costa and Mexican Javier “Chicharito” Hernández for the LA Galaxy. Also, with the Italian Giorgio Chiellini and the Mexican Carlos Vela for Los Angeles FC. In addition to the Italian Lorenzo Insigne at Toronto FC and the Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri with the Chicago Fire. Finally, the historic signing of Lionel Messi by Inter Miami notably increases the list of great players who landed on North American soil to play in Major League Soccer.

Value of the MLS against the leagues of the world

The hiring of stars and the empowerment of players skyrocketed the market value of MLS clubs and the league itself, reaching a value of approximately $1,240 million euros. For this reason, among the leagues in America, Major League Soccer is positioned as the second best only behind Série A in Brazil, according to Transfermarkt. MLS has already surpassed traditional leagues such as Argentina and Mexico and Colombia.

Compared to the European leagues, the North American league manages to surpass competitions such as the Eredivisie in the Netherlands and the Super League in Turkey. In the same way, it would be positioned very close to the Portuguese league, so if it continued to grow it would not be a problem to surpass it. Finally, the next objective would be to reach Ligue 1 in France, which despite doubling its value does not seem to have a robust strengthening plan.

Empowerment of clubs and the league with commercial agreements

According to Forbes, an average MLS club is currently worth $579 million dollars, 85% more than in 2019. Major League Soccer is positioned with multi-million dollar commercial agreements such as the one it signed with Audi of America and Apple. The first, based on presentation and sponsorship rights; the second, based on audiovisual rights that guarantee an estimated profit of $2,500 million dollars for the competition in the next ten years.

However, the arrival of Lionel Messi would be an invaluable economic catapult due to the media coverage of the Argentine legend. For this reason, an overwhelming profit growth is expected with the agreements made with companies such as Adidas and Apple, among others. Similarly, a joint profit is expected between MLS and the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico, so the commercial agreements will benefit both competitions.