Who Owns Inter Miami?

David Beckham, Jorge Mas, and Jose Mas own Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer club based in South Florida. In March 2026, the club secured a naming rights agreement with NuBank for its new stadium at Miami Freedom Park, and the team moved into Nu Stadium in April 2026 as the defending MLS Cup champions.

Inter Miami Mission Statement and Club Identity

Inter Miami CF adopted the tagline “Freedom To Dream” at its founding. Jorge Mas stated at the club’s 2018 launch that the franchise would have a “global vision” while keeping South Florida fans as its first priority.

The club’s crest features a pair of herons, and the primary colors are pink and black. Inter Miami positions itself as a “hyperglobal yet local” organization that reflects Miami’s multicultural population. The franchise aims to create long-term demand for professional soccer in a market where prior attempts, including the Miami Fusion, failed.

On the commercial front, Inter Miami has signed multinational sponsorship agreements with Royal Caribbean Group, Visa, and JPMorgan Chase. These partnerships align with the club’s goal of operating as a global sports brand rather than a regional team.

Who Owns Inter Miami

Inter Miami CF is privately held by three co-owners: David Beckham, Jorge Mas, and Jose Mas. Their exact ownership percentages have not been publicly disclosed.

Jorge Mas holds the title of Managing Owner and CEO. He oversees day-to-day operations and reports to the ownership group. Beckham’s role is more public-facing, acting as the club’s global figurehead and brand ambassador.

How Each Owner Acquired Their Stake

Beckham received an option to purchase an MLS expansion franchise for $25 million as part of his contract with the LA Galaxy in 2007. He triggered the option in 2014 and announced Miami as the target city. After four years of stadium negotiations, MLS formally approved the franchise in January 2018.

The Mas brothers joined the ownership group in December 2017, when the MLS Board of Governors approved them as co-owners. In 2021, they finalized a buyout of original investors Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son, consolidating majority control alongside Beckham.

Inter Miami Products, Services, and Revenue Streams

How Did Inter Miami CF Get Its Name?

The club name “Inter Miami CF” was announced in September 2018. The “Inter” prefix references Miami’s international character and its connection to global cultures. “CF” stands for Club de Fútbol, a nod to the Latin American soccer tradition that runs deep in South Florida.

Beckham explained at the naming ceremony that the name and crest were meant to reflect the city’s identity. The crest pairs two great herons — birds native to South Florida — against a rising sun, all rendered in the club’s signature black and pink color scheme. The design drew from Miami’s natural environment and its Art Deco architectural heritage. The choice of “Inter” also echoes European clubs like Inter Milan, linking the franchise to the global soccer tradition Beckham and the ownership group wanted to evoke.

Inter Miami Founders and Early Years

The idea for a Miami MLS team dates to 2013, when Beckham and his business manager Simon Fuller first discussed expansion targets with MLS commissioner Don Garber. Fuller originally suggested the franchise option as part of Beckham’s 2007 Galaxy deal. Beckham formally announced his intent to build a Miami franchise in February 2014, alongside Marcelo Claure.

The early years were rocky. Stadium site disputes delayed the project for four seasons. The club eventually secured a 99-year lease on the Melreese golf course site in April 2022, following a 4–1 Miami City Council vote. Before that, the team played at a temporary venue in Fort Lauderdale from its 2020 debut season through 2025, first at DRV PNK Stadium (later renamed Chase Stadium) with around 21,550 seats.

On the field, Inter Miami struggled in its first three MLS seasons, finishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The turnaround came in mid-2023 when Lionel Messi signed with the club on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Messi’s arrival coincided with the signing of former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez, and the club won the 2023 Leagues Cup within weeks of Messi’s debut.

Largest Shareholders of Inter Miami

Inter Miami Board of Directors and Executive Leadership

Ownership & Governance

Football Operations

Business Operations

Lionel Messi’s Ownership Option at Inter Miami

Messi’s contract with Inter Miami, extended through the 2028 MLS season, includes an option to purchase a partial ownership stake in the club after his playing career ends. The exact percentage has not been publicly confirmed, though early reports in 2023 suggested a figure around 35%.

The deal differs from Beckham’s original arrangement. MLS commissioner Don Garber has publicly acknowledged the logistical difficulties of the Beckham franchise option and indicated the league would not repeat that structure. Messi’s option is expected to be a minority stake in Inter Miami itself, not a separate expansion franchise.

ESPN and The Athletic reported that Messi’s compensation package also includes revenue-sharing arrangements with Apple TV (through MLS Season Pass subscriptions) and Adidas (through MLS merchandise revenues). His base salary is reported at $12–15 million per year, modest by his prior standards at Barcelona and PSG.

Inter Miami Valuation and Financial Growth

Sportico’s February 2026 analysis valued Inter Miami at $1.45 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase and the highest in MLS history. The club surpassed LAFC ($1.4 billion), which had topped the rankings since 2021. In Sportico’s first MLS valuations in 2021, Inter Miami ranked 14th at $525 million.

CNBC’s May 2025 global soccer rankings placed Inter Miami 22nd worldwide at $1 billion, with $185 million in revenue and $50 million in EBITDA for the 2024 season. Revenue for 2026 is projected to reach $250 million, according to Sportico, a figure that would rival many NBA and NFL teams in gameday and commercial income.

The valuation increase is tied to several factors: Messi’s continued presence, the opening of Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park (a 131-acre mixed-use development near Miami International Airport), and the 2025 MLS Cup Championship, where the club defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 on December 6, 2025.

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