• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 7, 2025
    More
    Media

    Lionel Messi Phenomenon Spurs Specialized Media Attention

    • Messi joins Taylor Swift and Beyoncé for celebrities to have their beat writer at ‘USA Today.’
    • The decision comes less than a year after Messi went to the U.S. to play in the MLS.
    By
    Feb 21, 2024 | 03:26 pm
    Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi following the victory against Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium.
    Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

    Move over Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. 

    Two of music’s biggest stars have a third party entering their atmosphere in Lionel Messi. USA Today’s Sports Media Group announced Wednesday that the Argentine soccer star will have his beat writer dedicated to covering him, joining a club previously occupied by Swift and Beyoncé. 

    This specialized coverage of Messi comes after his first (partial) season in Major League Soccer, which was a boon for the league and Inter Miami CF—and it’s already paying dividends for 2024 and beyond, as the club announced it had sold out its available season tickets for the ’24 MLS season.

    Safid Deen, who previously covered the NFL for USA Today and is based in South Florida, will be the Messi beat writer, covering his play, business dealings, and worldwide celebrity. Perhaps the decision is the most significant sign of growth for soccer in America, and how far it has come for a player to warrant sole coverage of a worldwide celebrity approaching 500 million followers on Instagram.

    Linkedin
    Whatsapp
    Copy Link
    Link Copied
    Link Copied

    What to Read

    Donald Trump
    by

    Trump Bill Has $1.6 Billion for Olympics, World Cup Security
    Host cities have lobbied for federal funding to help with security costs.
    Bill Ackman
    exclusive
    by

    Billionaire Bill Ackman Prepares for ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Tennis Match in..
    Ackman says he’s “peaking next week” at the Hall of Fame Open.
    by

    Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest
    George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.
    Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
    by

    California AG Says Daily Fantasy Sports Are Illegal
    The AG rejected arguments that DFS are games of skill, not chance.

    Featured Today
    by and

    American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start
    As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
    July 5, 2025

    Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual
    Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
    July 4, 2025

    3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest
    Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
    July 3, 2025

    Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
    “Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

    More in Media
    by

    Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger
    The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
    June 24, 2025

    Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season
    ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
    Leo Messi
    June 27, 2025

    TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings
    TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
    Sponsored

    Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release
    The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
    June 23, 2025

    NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%
    Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
    June 19, 2025

    Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals
    Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
    June 17, 2025

    Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.
    U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
    June 17, 2025

    Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience
    Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.