The anticipation and excitement in the soccer world have reached unprecedented levels since the announcement of Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami. The prospect of witnessing one of the greatest players of all time grace American soil is undeniably thrilling. However, amidst this excitement, it appears that some MLS owners are harboring feelings of frustration.

David Beckham, the owner of Inter Miami, faced tough competition to bring Messi to the MLS. In order to secure the signing, Beckham offered a unique contract that not only included a substantial salary but also deals with Adidas and Apple in a profit-sharing agreement. This arrangement made Messi the highest-paid athlete in the US, raising eyebrows among the other team owners.

Lionel Messi’s contract is worrisome for other owners

The main source of concern for the owners appears to be the partnership between the Argentine and Apple. According to reports, the lack of transparency surrounding the impact of Messi’s unique deal on other teams and their funding has caused unease among the owners.

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Apple TV is the rights holder for broadcasting MLS games in the United States. This comes following a 10-year agreement worth a minimum of $2.5 billion with the league. It has been reported that Messi stands to receive a share of this agreement, although the exact amount remains unclear. This ambiguity has further fueled the frustration of the team owners, as they are uncertain whether Messi’s share will come from Apple’s side or from the MLS’s side of the deal.

One owner gave his thoughts on this saying, “But how do I know if I like the deal when I don’t know what’s in the deal?” The lack of information on the specifics of Messi’s deal with Apple adds to the frustrations of the MLS owners. Without clear details, they are left in the dark about how this agreement will affect their teams. Maybe with Lionel Messi set to be presented on Sunday and officially sign the contract, the veil will be lifted.

How will Lionel Messi become the highest-paid US athlete?

While overshadowed by Saudi’s tempting $1.6 billion financial proposal, Inter Miami presented Messi with an equally substantial contract. As part of this agreement, Messi is expected to earn an impressive annual salary of about $54 million for two years. This firmly solidifies his position as the highest-paid superstar in the MLS by a considerable margin, with Xherdan Shaqiri following at $8.2 million in salary earnings. Additionally, renowned sponsors Apple and Adidas have extended profit-sharing agreements to him.

To further enhance the appeal of his deal, Messi will also hold a 35 percent stake in Inter Miami. Ultimately, the soccer legend has the potential to rake in a staggering $150 million each year. All this combined secures his status as America’s highest-earning athlete across all sports disciplines.

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What are your thoughts on this deal? Let us know in the comments.