The Messi deal represents a shift in how athletes are compensated, as he is seen as an elite content creator rather than just an athlete. Messi's decision to come to the United States to play for Inter Miami Football Club was based on his belief that his content creation on the field will sell tickets, create brand awareness, and increase interest in soccer in the United States. As a result, he negotiated deals with Apple and Adidas to receive a share of revenue from their subscriptions and shoe sales respectively. This represents a merging of capital and labor, where athletes are becoming equity partners in the businesses they contribute to. This approach has implications for professional sports leagues, as other big stars may start seeking similar deals. Furthermore, the idea of creating shadow equity in sports teams is proposed, where players would receive a percentage of the franchise value increase that they generate during their time with the team. Implementing such equity-based compensation strategies could lead to longer player-team partnerships and keep fans more engaged. The Messi deal signifies a game-changing shift in how athletes are valued and compensated, and this approach could be applied to other sports leagues as well.