What does Apple have to do with football? Read on to find out.
Apple is starting to benefit from Lionel Messi's switch to another team. For those who don't know, the star player has moved to Inter Miami. This week, the company announced that it has signed up one million new paying users to its subscription service.
But how does Messi and football in general relate to this? Keep reading and understand why the iPhone owner profited from the Argentine player's change of team.
Apple TV+
The North American brand's streaming service holds the rights to the MLS season. The Apple TV+ platform can show Major League Soccer games to its subscribers for the next 10 years.
The company's investments in the monopoly of broadcast rights were estimated at US$1.4 billion. It is worth remembering that in order to grant the broadcast to Apple, the American League entered into a partnership of almost 30 years with ESPN.
Streaming packages
Apple TV+ packages start at US$12.99 per month, around R$56.00. For those who want to subscribe for the entire season, the price is US$139.00, around R$184.00.
This means that if all fans choose only the monthly option, the minimum value of Apple profit to date would be US$ 13 million (R$ 61 million).
Messi is considered by many football fans, and for the awards he has won, the best player in the world. The star player continues to break records, which justifies the volume of investments in his name. However, in the largest sports consumption market in the world, he will challenge himself to be the center of attention. In the other four major leagues NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, which have their own idols and solid audiences, the player may have difficulty standing out.
Quick return
Since Messi signed in June, Apple TV+ has gained 300,000 new subscribers, a testament to the player's influence in the world of sport.
The future of the league will be important for the brands involved. Remember that Messi is one of the three greatest players of all time in world football. He was a golden signing for Inter Miami, the team's sponsors and partners in general.
Among other things, according to The Athletic website, the North American League and Apple will give Messi a share of the revenue generated by his name.
All subscriptions generated by the MLS season, or streaming packages subscribed to monthly on the platform of the large technology company will have a portion destined to the Argentine.
The way the profession is practiced in the American league is different from other leagues around the world. The players who play in the MLS are very different from what we are used to. In the soccer market, the MLS is part of the contract and is actively involved in the negotiations. This is completely different from the rest of the soccer leagues. Because of this format, a player like Messi can not only come to the MLS with a large salary, but also a stake in other deals.
