What is the interest in MLS teams around the world?

INTER MIAMI DOMINATE GLOBAL INTEREST IN US SOCCER, BUT THE LEAGUE WILL NEED DEPTH TO THRIVE

In the lead up to the Word Cup in North America, soccer in the US is set to grow. The territory has become a focal point for the English Premier League, who expect the US to be the main driver of revenue in the next 10 years.

The MLS itself is also seeing growth – both domestically and internationally. This is largely down to the investment and prominance of Inter Miami CF. With stars such as Lionel messi in their roster, interest has grown significantly across the world, accounting for over 61% of all 30 MLS team searches.

Depth will be key to build this league

While the prowess of Inter Miami around the world is incredibly valuable in bringing eyes to US Soccer, the weight of its influence creates an inbalance which brings risk.

The default position for nearly all leagues is to be domianted by one or two sides in terms of success and fan engagement. The stand out league that bucks this trend more than most is the English Premier League, with many of its sides having large international followings as well as success in European competitions.

The Bundesliga remains dominated by Bayern Munich, as does La Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, in the case of the MLS, the success until now has not been anything more than fleeting even with it’s biggest clubs. For instance, what happens when Lionel Messi and other Inter Miami stars retire?

While the league is enjoying more notoriety, now would be the time to invest in other teams to help build depth and new entry points for fans both at home and around the world. With this depth comes rivalry, competition and a stronger league – all the elements that build sustained interest.

But what is it that would make investment in other MLS clubs compelling to those who could fund it? Club ownership generally is becoming a vehicle of choice for those in the position to do it. With the game set to grow as mentioned, this seems viable.

Also however, is taking in to account the city where the club is based. New York, Philadelphia and and Los Angeles seem like obvious places where clubs can be developed in the way Miami has and some of them, while small compared to Miami right now, enjoy a healthy following.

One doubt however, lingers around this. Miami does seem to be a seperate case – the success it is enjoying with soccer and F1 and producing a brand for the area which is cutting a niche in sport. So is this actually, something which other clubs cwill have an impossible time replicating, or is it more a case of will and finance?

Either way, investment in depth may well be the key to bringing the MLS up in to the elite of world soccer leagues.