Why Are Billionaires and Superstars Betting Big on U. S. Soccer?

For a long time, U. S. soccer was overshadowed by popular leagues like the NFL and NBA. But now, it's becoming a hot favorite. The Major League Soccer (MLS) is growing faster than any other pro sports league in the country. Rich businesspeople, CEOs, and even famous celebrities are eager to buy MLS teams. They see a lot of money coming their way. Let's dive into why everyone is so excited. First off, MLS games are drawing in more fans. On average, each game has about 23,000 fans, which is more than NBA or NHL games. Some games even have over 80,000 fans! That's more than some NFL Super Bowls. Next, media deals are massive. Apple paid $2. 5 billion to show MLS games. That's almost three times more than the last deal. Teams are also paying a lot more to join the league. Last year, St. Louis City FC paid $200 million to join. San Diego FC just paid $500 million, which is much more than just two years ago. Team values are also soaring. Four MLS teams are now worth over $1 billion. That's more than some NHL or even English Premier League teams. Fans are also happy to pay more for tickets. A game with Lionel Messi cost $110,000 per ticket! Soccer stadiums are getting bigger too. Some teams have to move to NFL stadiums because their own are too small. Even new stadiums are huge. Inter Miami CF is building one with 25,000 seats, which is more than the new LA Clippers arena. One team, Inter Miami CF, is a big reason why soccer is so popular now. Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players ever, joined them. In just one year, he helped double the team's value. Now, they're the third most valuable team in the league. Other teams are also doing well. San Diego FC is new and has big dreams. They think their team will be worth a lot in the future. Even women's soccer is getting more popular. Angel City FC is now the most valuable women's sports team in the world. But it's not just about the money. Fans play a huge role in why soccer is so popular. They love the game and want to see it grow.