Messi unveiling by Inter Miami could be broadcast at HT of Gold Cup final
Lionel Messi’s presentation as an Inter Miami player could be broadcast at half-time of the Gold Cup final on Sunday.
Major League Soccer is in discussions with CONCACAF, Fox and Univision to air a portion of the presentation, according to multiple sources briefed on the plans, who spoke anonymously to protect relationships.
Inter Miami announced an event, The Unveil, will begin at 8pm ET on Sunday (1am BST on Monday) at DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Gold Cup final is scheduled to kick off at the same time at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Inter Miami’s statement, which does not name Messi, billed the full event as including “exciting entertainment, speeches on the pitch and more”.
The entire program will air on the MLS Season Pass app on Apple, one source said.
Executives with MLS and CONCACAF were in touch about the overlapping events, the sources said, and while details have not yet been finalized with Fox and Univision, the hope is to leverage two major regional soccer events and maximize the audience and impact.
The U.S. men’s national team face Panama while Mexico take on Jamaica in the Gold Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Messi is expected to arrive in the United States on Tuesday before an official announcement from the club this week, one source confirmed. He is currently on vacation in the Bahamas.
