Inter Miami took home two prestigious honors at the 17th Annual Sports Business Awards on Wednesday night in New York City, with the Club having the standout performance of the evening among sports teams. Riding high after its July 2023 signing of Lionel Messi, the Club was recognized with Team of the Year and Deal of the Year.
The signing of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, transformed North American sports and catapulted Inter Miami into a global phenomenon overnight. His arrival at Inter Miami didn’t just elevate the team’s on-field performance immediately, but also ignited a commercial surge, helping transform Inter Miami into a reference point for fútbol globally.
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Upon accepting the first award of the night for the Club, Inter Miami CF Chief Business Officer Xavier Asensi said, “We did it because we didn’t know it was impossible. I can tell you, though, that our motto is Freedom to Dream. And we dreamt. We dreamt really big, and I can tell you that it was worth every bit of it.”
Just moments after receiving the Deal of the Year Award, Asensi returned to the stage alongside a group of staff members to accept the Team of the Year Award.
The second recognition underscores not just the monumental task of signing Messi, but also the Club’s adeptness in swiftly leveraging the extraordinary moment in the spotlight.
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“We’re extremely proud that we’ve been able to pull that one off and to have the greatest of all time and the greatest that ever played the game play on the United States of America’s soil and Canada’s soil,” Asensi said. “We hope that this can elevate the game and the popularity of the game in this country.”
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The Miami Dolphins are about a month away from training camp starting, bringing together the full roster and starting the build-up toward the 2024 NFL season. This year’s roster saw some major changes as players like defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel left in free agency while the team signed free agency defensive lineman Calais Campbell and drafted edge rusher Chop Robinson. It has been a busy offseason in South Florida.
Was it enough? Where are your concerns about the team and the roster they have built? We bring back our SB Nation Reacts fan poll today to get your thoughts on the Dolphins’ roster. We want to know where you think the biggest hole remaining on Miami’s roster is.
Vote in the poll below and head to the comments to share why you voted the way you did. We will be back with the results later this week.
The Miami Dolphins wasn’t the same after they lost their starting center, Connor Williams, for the year after an ACL injury. Williams is still without a team as he rehabs from the injury, but his agent Drew Rosenhaus believes the o-lineman will be good to go for the start of the season. Rosenhaus doesn’t believe a reunion with the Dolphins will happen as the team went out and invested in a new center in Aaron Brewer. Williams prefers to stay at center and from the sounds of it, there will be plenty of teams interested in him when he is ready to go.
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
Will center Connor Williams re-sign with the Dolphins? His agent offers insight – Yahoo Sports Dolphins free agent center Williams looking elsewhere.
Dolphins Wide Receivers
Miami Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Erik Ezukanma The 2022 fourth-round pick will be looking to earn a roster spot and a role on offense after missing most of last season with a neck injury.
Phinsider News You May Have Missed
De’Von Achane, the X-factor – Miami Dolphins News 6/24/24 – The Phinsider Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.
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Pro Football Talk: Miami Dolphins not a top-10 NFL team – The Phinsider In a pre-camp power rankings list, Mike Florio of PFT lists Miami Dolphins outside of the top-ten NFL teams.
Connor Williams Set To Return, Reunion with Miami Dolphins Unlikely – The Phinsider Drew Rosenhuas confirms Connor Williams is healthy and has received interest from several teams. But will the Miami Dolphins be able to lure him back to South Florida?
Four former Miami Dolphins players available in free agency – The Phinsider The Miami Dolphins signed 18 players since free agency began but were also forced to move on from talented players.
Phinsider Question Of The Day: 2024 Yardage Leader Edition – The Phinsider Will Tyreek Hill continue to dominate the all purpose yardage mark for the Miami Dolphins?
