Monday, June 15, 2026

Messi Business Still Growing Despite Inter Miami’s Slim Playoff Hopes

  • Inter Miami will likely miss the playoffs this season but will be among the 2024 championship favorites.
  • Season ticket demand is skyrocketing as fans anticipate a full season with Messi.
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Inter Miami has four games left to pull off a miracle and make the MLS Cup Playoffs, but Lionel Messi is still dealing with a nagging leg injury. Some projections give Miami just a 6% chance at succeeding even with him.

But after Messi’s incredible debut run in MLS, leading Inter Miami to the first-ever Leagues Cup title — interest is still high in the club that will certainly be among the favorites to win a championship in 2024.

Inter Miami season ticket prices for next year are reportedly close to double what they cost in some sections this year. Current season ticket holders are reviewing their options for 2024. Additionally, season ticket applications have reportedly surged by 1,215%.

In the meantime, fans with tickets to Inter Miami’s remaining matches — two home, two away — are left wondering whether they will get a glimpse of Messi as he recovers. The Chicago Fire, who host Miami on Wednesday night, have been anticipating four times more fans than they typically see for home matches. 

Final Farewell

Barcelona could get an official goodbye-to-Messi match in the coming years, so the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner can play in front of his longtime fans one last time.

“Inter Miami will go [to Barcelona] or we will have some kind of match,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said. “Messi’s departure from Barcelona was not to his liking.”

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gareth Bale
Exclusive

Gareth Bale Launches Sports Fund, Still Eyeing Cardiff Bid

“It’s about being patient, finding the right club, and the right path for us to take.”

Landon Donovan Thinks World Cup Will Boost MLS

Donovan argues hosting World Cup games will lead owners to spend more.

Dave Checketts Says Founding MLS Team Was His ‘Worst Investment’ 

Checketts cofounded Real Salt Lake in 2005 and sold it in 2013.
In this photo illustration, a mobile device displays the Kalshi logo while a laptop displays the webpage of the prediction market platform in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)

Leagues Weigh In on Future Prediction Market Regulation

Safeguarding integrity and protecting consumers were common themes.

Featured Today

Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.

Knicks Beat Spurs to Win First NBA Title in 53 Years

New York is the eighth different NBA champion in eight years.
June 11, 2026

Knicks Are 1 Win From Title After Historic Comeback

It was the largest comeback in an NBA Finals game ever.
Apr 4, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks executive chairman James Dolan sits court side during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden
June 12, 2026

The Knicks Keep Winning. James Dolan Keeps Beefing

The Knicks owner continues his streak of high-profile feuds.
Sponsored

How Long Acre Tavern Is Built to Handle Soccer’s Biggest Moments

Learn how Spectrum Business helps keep Long Acre Tavern in Times Square connected and ready to serve soccer fans from around the world.
June 10, 2026

From Angel Reese to ‘Loser Mentality,’ Sky Tumult Continues

Reese and the Atlanta Dream are 8–3.
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Osasuna v Atletico Madrid - El Sadar Stadium, Pamplona, Spain - May 12, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth in action with Osasuna's Valentin Rosier
June 10, 2026

What Really Happened With the Spanish Soccer Team and Kalshi

The club said it wanted to clear up its actions after “recent reports.”
June 10, 2026

Pritzker to Bears: Win Over Lawmakers, Get a Special Session

The Illinois governor holds the Bears responsible for prior legislative failures.
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the third quarter during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
June 9, 2026

Ticket Prices for Game 4 at MSG Drop Following Knicks Loss

Ticket demand falls sharply for Wednesday’s Game 4.