Liverpool’s Fortunes Soar as Lionel Messi Joins in £35 Million Coup
Lionel Messi’s arrival in the Major League Soccer (MLS) may hold the key to a substantial financial windfall for Liverpool, according to insights from a football finance expert.
During this summer, Liverpool’s ownership, the Fenway Sports Group, inked three lucrative sponsorship deals with American giants. Notably, Google Pixel, Peloton, and UPS all became part of the club’s sponsorship portfolio.
The reputable source, Football Insider, reported that this trio of deals is anticipated to inject an extra £35 million annually into Liverpool’s commercial revenue stream. While the Reds had already reported a substantial commercial revenue of £247 million in their 2021/22 financial accounts, this figure is poised to experience significant growth.
Furthermore, financial expert Kieran Maguire highlights Liverpool’s potential to capitalize on the burgeoning interest in football within the United States, a momentum catalyzed by Lionel Messi’s high-profile move to Inter Miami.
The increasing American fanbase is predicted to boost merchandise sales for Liverpool. Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire elaborated on this potential windfall, stating: “There’s no doubt that FSG are familiar with the US market themselves, given their investment in sport. They certainly view the USA as a growth market. The MLS has a particular position within the sporting calendar as far as the USA is concerned. On top of that, Lionel Messi’s arrival in Miami has helped to raise the profile.”
Maguire goes on to emphasize the appeal of major clubs like Liverpool in the eyes of American fans, who are more than willing to invest substantial sums in watching these teams even in exhibition games. “The big clubs – Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSG, Manchester United, and so on – they do have huge interest among American fans who are prepared to pay large amounts of money. American fans pay well just to go and watch them play in exhibition games. The merchandise sales and the opportunities to align with other US brands I think is indicative of a symbiotic relationship where both parties win.”