Inter Miami Reportedly Passes LAFC To Become Most Valuable Club In MLS At $1.45 Billion

Inter Miami CF officially surpassed Los Angeles FC to become the most valuable franchise in Major League Soccer (MLS) on February 14, 2024, according to the latest valuation report by Sportico. The Florida-based club reached a record-breaking valuation of $1.45 billion, a staggering surge fueled largely by the arrival of international superstar Lionel Messi. This shift at the top of the financial rankings highlights a broader trend of rapid capital appreciation across the league, with the total value of all 30 MLS franchises now estimated at $23 billion. The astronomical rise of Inter Miami represents a 148% increase from its pre-Messi valuation of $585 million. Beyond the club's market value, financial projections indicate a 75 percent increase in revenue, with experts anticipating the club will rake in $250 million by 2026. This financial boom has allowed the club to leapfrog 2023 leader LAFC, which is now valued at $1.4 billion, followed by other high-value franchises like the LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, and New York City FC. Collectively, the average value of an MLS team has climbed to $767 million, showcasing a 39 percent growth since 2021. Despite the record-breaking numbers at the top, the report identifies a growing economic disparity between the league’s wealthiest clubs and its lower-tier franchises. Inter Miami is currently worth nearly 3.5 times more than CF Montreal, the league's lowest-valued club at $480 million. Critics and owners have voiced concerns over the league's media revenue structure; after production costs, MLS teams reportedly net only $5 million annually from their deal with Apple, significantly trailing the $40 million netted by NHL teams from their national TV contracts. This gap in liquid revenue has made it difficult for certain ownership groups, such as those in Vancouver and San Jose, to attract new investors or sell minority stakes in their franchises.