How much does MLS make from sponsors? NFL and NBA lead on revenue

American soccer’s top division is close to overtaking NHL on sponsorship revenue and has been boosted further by Lionel Messi’s arrival.

William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Sep 13th, 2023 12:40 EDT

Kirby LeeUSA TODAY Sports

MLS is closing the financial gap on the other major American sports leagues, even before the arrival of Lionel Messi is analysed.

An IEG report has found that the MLS generated a total sponsorship revenue of $680 million in the 2022 season, putting it just $70 million short of the $750 million generated by the NHL.

The NFL leads the way with an astonishing $1.88 billion in total revenue, putting it comfortably ahead of the NBA ($1.64bn) and MLB ($1.19bn).

MLS is very close to passing the NHL in sponsorship revenue With how rapidly the league is growing and with the World Cup coming in 2026, we are close to seeing a very new-looking American sports landscape pic.twitter.com/XSB421VvVt

— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) September 9, 2023

IEG’s global managing director Peter Laatz described the NFL as “the perfect example of doing more with less.”

“Its sponsorship revenue tops all U.S. sports leagues with fewer games, limited branding and minimal broadcast-visible signage,” Laatz added.

How much is Lionel Messi worth to MLS?

The analyse compares the previous completed season, meaning that the ps do not factor in the incredible impact that Lionel Messi has had on the league. Messi’s arrival has sparked huge global interest in the league and made MLS a much more appealing proposition for would-be sponsors.

Last month AS USA reported that the league’s broadcast partner, Apple, had already exceeded their early expectations for subscriber numbers. All MLS games are available to stream on Apple TV’s Season Pass after Apple struck a $2.5 billion deal to hold exclusive rights for the league for the next decade.

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Apple have utilised Lionel Messi immense pull to advertise the Season Pass.Twitter @AppleTV