Lionel Messi drives a surge in MLS Apple TV subscriptions with 110,000 fans signing up for his July 21 debut alone – as Apple CEO Tim Cook insists $2.5BILLION MLS deal is paying off
Lionel Messi fuels a surge in MLS Apple TV subscriptions, with 110,000 fans signed up for his July 21 debut alone — while Apple CEO Tim Cook insists the $2.5 billion MLS deal will pay off throws off
- Lionel Messi made his Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul on July 21
- “We are exceeding our expectations… (Messi) helped us,” said Tim Cook
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Lionel Messi has contributed to an unprecedented stream of new subscribers on Apple TV, with over 110,000 fans signing up for the MLS Season Pass just for his Inter Miami debut alone.
According to subscription analytics company Antenna, via the Wall Street Journalthere were over 110,000 new players on July 21, the day Messi played his first game against Inter Miami and scored a last-minute free kick against Cruz Azul.
That “massive bump” dwarfs the previous day’s registrations (6,143) and is a larger number than both the opening day of the MLS season and the day the Season Pass became available.
In fact, July saw a surge in Apple TV+ subscriptions, making it the best month for new US customers in 2023.
“There is only one Lionel Messi, so this was a very big moment for the sport in this country,” Antenna CEO Jonathan Carson told the WSJ.
Lionel Messi has contributed to an unprecedented stream of new subscribers to Apple TV
“Sport is certainly a star drive, but that has never before translated into a huge subscriber bump.”
As part of his move to MLS, Messi would earn a share of revenue from new subscribers to Apple’s MLS Season Pass, which launched earlier this year as part of a $2.5 billion partnership over ten years.
Last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook credited Messi for helping the tech giant enjoy an unforeseen surge in new hires.
“We’re exceeding our expectations in terms of subscriber numbers, and the fact that Messi went to Inter Miami helped us a little bit,” Cook said in Apple’s August report.
Tim Cook credited Messi with helping the tech giant enjoy an unforeseen surge in new hires
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas claimed in August that Messi’s arrival more than doubled subscriptions in just a few weeks.
‘The Messi effect is real!’ said Mas. “#MLSSeasonPass subscribers on @AppleTV have more than doubled since Messi joined @InterMiamiCF.”
The MLS Season Pass currently costs $12.99 per month, or $25 per season for those who already subscribe to Apple TV+. Those who don’t pay $14.99 a month or $29 for the season.
MLS season ticket holders got free season pass subscriptions this year.