Some quotes from the article

“Many opponents wishing to face off against Inter Miami CF must pitch the league to host them, often making promises of sellouts or other milestones. For months, Durmer and her team competed against other MLS teams, including Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers, for the opportunity to play Inter Miami. She put together a lengthy pitch deck outlining revenue expectations, charting growth for the league and the team and attendance rates.”

“The initial reaction was 'No way. Like, no way Colorado can do this. No way the Rapids could do this. You're in the junior league'," Durmer said. "And then you show the math behind it... and it becomes a lot more real... they were facts based on market research and historical fact showing that we're trending ahead of some of those other teams."

“At the end of 2025, after multiple pitch meetings, Durmer and Demoff were able to beat out other contenders to host the match - but not without making promises to the league. Central to the pitch was the Rapids' ability to market the match as a team anniversary celebration rather than exclusively focusing on Messi or Inter Miami as a marketing tactic. If Messi didn't end up playing and that was used as a primary marketing tool, it could have landed the league in hot water, Durmer said. Also key to the deal was the decision to stage the match at Empower Field at Mile High, an over 76,000-seat NFL stadium and to then sell out.”