Apple hasn't released subscription numbers for the first season of its subscription broadcasting service MLS Season Pass, but Sports Business Journal reported this month that they've reached two million — following Messi's signing for Miami in July. The number has doubled.
MLS season ticket holders were given free access to the service, while a number of special offers were available to fans. The report did not say what proportion of the two million subscribers had paid the full fee.
Q said he was surprised by how much of a difference Messi has made to the numbers.
“I was shocked. I had no idea because I knew it would make a difference but I thought it would take time. They moved the needle very quickly on a global perspective and an American perspective,” he said.
He added, “So, no, I didn't appreciate his power and reach… It's amazing to see.”
Cue said Messi has managed to attract spectators to MLS games even from outside the United States and Canada.
“I won't tell you the exact numbers but I will tell you that before Messi it was very much an American top. “It changed materially after Macy's because they added a lot of customers from South America and Europe, so that was a big change,” he said.