Fox Sports Mexico (FSM), a broadcaster not owned by the media giant Fox Corporation but by Grupo Multimedia Lauman, has initiated legal proceedings against two Liga MX soccer teams over a dispute concerning media rights distribution.
FSM holds the rights to broadcast home games of Club Leon and Pachuca CF, both controlled by the Grupo Pachuca ownership group. However, in December 2024, it was announced that Grupo Pachuca had reached an agreement with Fox Corporation to air these games for free on the Tubi streaming service. This move sparked controversy and led FSM to file lawsuits against both parties involved.
In response to FSM's legal action, a judge granted an injunction barring Grupo Pachuca from providing broadcasts to Fox Corp and Tubi. In mid-2024, reports emerged that Fox Corporation had received approval to proceed with a takeover of FSM. However, this plan never materialized. It remains unclear whether this unresolved takeover attempt has any bearing on the current dispute over broadcasting rights.
Potential sale of club Leon amid FIFA ownership rules
Adding another layer of complexity is rumors that surfaced in December suggesting that Grupo Pachuca might be considering selling Club Leon. This move would be in compliance with ownership rules established by FIFA - global soccer's governing body - which stipulates that teams owned by the same owner cannot compete in tournaments such as FIFA Club World Cup.
Both Club Leon and Pachuca CF are set to participate in the upcoming revamped FIFA Club World Cup despite these rules. In November 2024, Costa Rican side Alajuelense lodged a complaint about their inclusion due to shared ownership under Grupo Pachuca.
However, Martinez expressed confidence that both teams will be allowed participation as he believes FIFA will consider their pending sale into account.
Awaiting response from Grupo Pachuca and Fox Corporation
As of the time of writing, both Grupo Pachuca and Fox Corporation have yet to respond to the lawsuits filed by FSM. The outcome of these legal proceedings could potentially reshape the landscape of sports broadcasting rights in Mexico.
This complex situation involving media rights distribution, unresolved takeover attempts, potential club sales, and FIFA ownership rules is a clear indication that the world of sports broadcasting is as competitive off-field as it is on-field.
