Inter Miami awarded Deal of the Year for Lionel Messi transfer
The Herons enjoyed a transformative 2023 after bringing the World Cup winner to MLS on a free transfer.
Inter Miami took home two prizes at the 17th annual Sports Business Awards in New York City on Wednesday night.
The MLS leaders clinched the Deal of the Year award for bringing in Lionel Messi last summer. Just months after leading Argentina to a historic World Cup triumph, Messi left French champions Paris Saint-Germain and moved to South Florida.
His impact on the team, the game and the nation was immediate, guiding a struggling Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup title within weeks of his arrival. Messi proved a sensation on the field and has had a profound impact in commercial terms too.
On Thursday, MLS commissioner Don Garber congratulated Miami on the award, saying: “The signing of Leo Messi was a game-changer, raising the profile of not just the club but of MLS and the entire sport in North America. Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and David Beckham believed in MLS and made an unprecedented investment in the greatest player to ever play the beautiful game.”
Three awards for MLS at Sports Business Awards
The Deal of the Year was not the only gong that went to MLS, nor was it the only one won by Inter Miami. The 2023 Sports Team of the Year award was also given to the Herons.
Alongside the signings of Messi, Luis Suarez and others, they have complimented their cadre of superstar veterans with a flurry of young talents arriving from South America. The likes of Benjamin Cremaschi, Diego Gómez and Federico Redondo have already been linked with moves to Europe. Using Messi’s arrival as a commercial springboard, Miami have signed lucrative new partnerships with brands like Chase and Royal Caribbean.
MLS’ third Sports Business Award went to a figure with a longer history in the league. Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the team.
He helped Atlanta to establish themselves in the league after their introduction in 2017 and helped them to near-immediate success, winning MLS Cup in 2018 and drawing huge support at the vast Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 81-year-old businessman has a US Soccer training centre named in his honour after donating $50 million to the federation.