The head of Apple TV’s collaboration with Major League Soccer has urged clubs in the league to follow the example of Inter Miami’s deal with Lionel Messi and sign more top stars.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice-president of services, told reporters at Inter Miami’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday that Messi had made a huge impact on subscriptions bringing in new viewers from Europe and South America as well as North America.
“I’m excited that there are teams that are definitely pushing hard. Obviously what Inter Miami has done is an example of that and I think there needs to be more teams doing that and I think there will be,” Cue said.
“At least I’ve seen it enough now that there’s a level of excitement… when anybody asks what do I want from anybody, any of the teams, I’m like, sign some more players!” he said.
Miami’s recruitment of big-name international players is unprecedented in MLS with Messi having been joined initially by two former Barcelona team-mates in Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
In December, Miami added another top international with the acquisition of former Barca and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
Getting MLS clubs to open up their wallets to spend big on international talent would require a shift from clubs that have focused mainly in recent years on bringing in lower cost, young talent from South America.
MLS commissioner Don Garber, speaking earlier, said he was aware of reports suggested changes could be coming to the league’s salary cap and roster rules that could make it easier to bring in big players but said the league was aware it had to remain smart in how it approaches growth.
However he acknowledged that Inter Miami had been able to generate what are widely expected to be record revenues from the Messi deal.
“If we thought every team could deliver that by signing players, I can assure you that MLS would adapt its rules to be able to deliver that,” he said.
“Our thinking in terms of strategic player spending – we will do whatever we need to do to grow our fan base, to grow the competitiveness of our league, and to grow our revenues and ultimately the credibility and viability of MLS on a global stage,” he added.
“Nothing is going to stop us from doing that. We just want to be thoughtful about it,” he said.
– Contrasting opinions –
Cue suggested there may be…