inter miami
Inter Miami CF
With the signing of global superstar Lionel Messi, Inter Miami instantly became one of the most popular and recognizable American sports brands worldwide. In addition to more than doubling revenue in 2023 to $125 million and projecting $200 million for 2024, the club became the most-followed U.S. sports team on TikTok and the fourth-most followed on Instagram behind only the Lakers, Cavaliers and Warriors.
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Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ business side is racking up the value-add wins as the team develops into a full-blown dynasty. Kansas City hosted a wildly successful 2023 NFL Draft before defending its Lombardi Trophy. It’s gone all-in on Germany, selling six corporate sponsorships and spending $1 million to activate around its game in Frankfurt last year, setting a leaguewide pace for effective use of the global market rights. Stateside, the Chiefs have been a leader in parsing consumer data to find fans outside of their small local market.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves were adversely affected by both the pandemic and the aftermath of the George Floyd incident, with their executives saying their city was “just rampaged.”
They built a five-year business model to recover, and through an emphasis on sales, outdoor concerts, new uniforms, an ascending roster and community activism, the improvement is staggering. Ticket revenue is up 69% over the last two years, the most growth in the league over that time. The Timberwolves sold out every home game this season; TV ratings are up 103% year-over-year; and business on the partnership side (with 34 new partners) is up 20%.
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Texas Rangers
The Rangers brought in a proven manager in Bruce Bochy and spent big in free agency (Corey Seager, 10 years, $325 million; Marcus Semien, seven years, $175 million) in the years leading up to to the franchise’s first World Series title last fall, and business results followed. The Rangers increased their viewership on Bally Sports Southwest by more than 80% and were top five in MLB in year-over-year attendance growth. For Game 1 of the World Series at Globe Life Field, Delaware North reported per-cap spending at nearly $100 per person.
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Vegas Golden Knights
Fulfilling owner Bill Foley’s promise of bringing a Stanley Cup to Las Vegas, the Golden Knights continued their unprecedented out-of-the-gate success on the ice, winning the NHL championship in the franchise’s sixth season in existence through aggressive roster building. Off the ice, the team increased revenue 36% year-over-year and ranked among the NHL’s top five in ticketing and sponsorship revenue, despite playing in the league’s second-smallest market by population.
