The recent exit of Fox Sports from the Premier League's broadcasting landscape has sparked significant discussions among sports fans in Mexico. This article delves into how these changes are shaping up and what they mean for Mexican football fans.
The Premier League is one of the most followed competitions in Mexico, thanks to its high-quality matches and the presence of national players in Premier League clubs. Matches featuring Mexican players such as Edson Álvarez, Raúl Jiménez, and Julián Araujo have garnered considerable attention.
However, with Fox Sports' recent troubles leading to their departure from broadcasting these games, shifts in broadcasting arrangements were inevitable.
Battle for broadcasting rights
With Max holding half of the Premier League broadcasting rights, there is now a void left by Fox Sports that other networks are eager to fill. Networks like ESPN and Caliente TV may be potential contenders for acquiring these rights as they seek valuable content for their paid platforms.
However, it remains unconfirmed whether all matches involving Mexican footballers will be aired during Matchday 24 of the competition following this reshuffle.
Impact on upcoming matches
On Saturday, February 15th Bournemouth fixture game featuring Julián Araujo will be broadcast on MAX since it was not included in Fox Sports' programming schedule. However, matches involving Raúl Jiménez with , and Edson Álvarez with West Ham - both part of Matchday 24 - will not be accessible to viewers in Mexico due to their previous scheduling on Fox Sports.
Fox Sport's exit from this space was reportedly due to financial issues; they owed £100 million (2 billion Mexican pesos) to the Premier League which led to contractual termination. Other leagues and teams including NFL, WWE, and Liga MX clubs such as Club León, Club , and FC Juárez have also nullified their contracts with Fox Sports Mexico due to substantial financial debts on the broadcaster's part.
The exit of Fox Sports from the Premier League's broadcasting landscape in Mexico is a significant development. It opens up opportunities for other networks to step in and fill the void. However, it also raises questions about access to matches featuring Mexican players for local fans. As sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts await further developments, one thing is clear - this change will significantly reshape how Premier League football is consumed in Mexico.
