The wait for the GOAT is over folks. Mark your calendars, fasten your seatbelts, and get your subscriptions as Lionel Messi is about to make his MLS debut against Mexico’s Cruz Azul for the League Cup Opener on July 21.
The guy rejected a billion dollars, yes, a billion dollars offered by the Saudi Arab Club Al Hilal to come to your very homes. Soccer may not be one of the most popular sports in the US, but globally fans can kill for it. This presents a great opportunity for MLS to capitalize on Messi’s popularity and take the league nationwide or even global, as people may not know about MLS yet but they certainly know who Messi is.
This might sound like a familiar voyage as bringing in David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, and Wayne Rooney way past their prime. And we certainly cannot deny the impact they have had on the sport in America. But Lionel Messi is another breed and certainly not past his prime. He is a force of nature – a phenomenon unforeseen on American soil.
The GOAT is literally coming in after winning the world cup. Yes, the WORLD CUP. And the goat is certainly not coming alone. He is bringing the greatest holding midfielder, one of the greatest left-backs in Europe, and one of the greatest and fiercest center-backs with him.
Wondering what Apple had to do with all this?
Much of the credit for such developments goes to David Beckham, Inter Miami, and the MLS but this would not have been possible without the involvement of Apple. As not everyone can afford the GOAT, period! Apple smoothened up the deal for Lionel Messi by giving him a percentage of the revenue from its MLS season pass and announcing docuseries charting Messi’s 2022 World Cup win on Apple TV +.
So, what’s in it for Apple?
With a landmark 250 million per season deal that saw Apple acquire the rights for MLS broadcasting for the next 10 years, Apple wins it all. Not only it gets an opportunity to diversify its portfolio but also gets to capitalize on one of the fastest-growing sports in America. With Apple being the only exclusive broadcaster and Apple TV+ the only app which primarily runs on Apple products, this could potentially boost the sales of Apple products globally.
Moreover, after paying a meager sum of 250 million per season, Apple will not only receive massive revenue on its subscriptions, free global marketing, and wide-spread popularity for bringing the world’s biggest superstar but this venture will potentially set up new avenues for the promotion of Apple Pay, Apple TV+, and the Apple Vision Pro.
What does it hold for the future of sports entertainment?
The potential impact of this partnership on the future of sports and soccer entertainment is going to be unparalleled. Messi’s arrival will not only generate a great wave of excitement among soccer fans but also boost viewership and attendance. Moreover, Apple’s partnership with the MLS will revolutionize soccer fans’ engagement with soccer content and sports entertainment. Fans now can subscribe to the new MLS streaming service, available exclusively on Apple TV+.
Apple Vision Pro
With Apple Vision Pro’s launch just around the corner, Apple is pushing the boundaries to transform the human experience. For a deeply immersive experience with no fragmentation and frustration, the Vision Pro would be a great option to take the football viewing experience to the next level. Powered by spatial computing technology it is a great tool that seamlessly blends physical space with digital content and offers simple navigation to do things unimaginable.
What is in it for the fans?
For the first time, fans will be able to find everything related to major leagues within a single platform with multiple add-ons and options, including options to buy full-season tickets. Likewise, some fans who want a 3D stadium experience from the comfort of their couches will be able to do so due to the revolutionary breakthroughs in technology. The Vision Pro would be a game changer and will simply make the live soccer experience more interactive and exciting.
Why do you need lightning-fast internet?
For the best experience of Apple TV+ and Apple devices, high-speed internet is a necessary pre-condition. With one of the broadest networks across America spanning 41 states, Xfinity internet plans provide a seamless live-stream experience that is also easy on the pocket.
Wrapping Up,
With Copa America and World Cup scheduled for 2024 and 2026 in America. The possibilities for growth are endless. Lionel Messi’s arrival and Apple’s breakthrough in technology will open endless opportunities for soccer consumers. Messi will ensure that the fans are entertained and awestruck with his magic and Apple will provide a complete and immersive experience potentially miles ahead of other OTT platforms.