Liga MX: Mazatlán Sold to Atlante – ESPN Deportes
Liga MX Ownership Shakeup: Mazatlán & Atlante – What You Need to Know
What: A potential ownership change is unfolding in Liga MX, with reports indicating that Grupo Salinas (owner of Mazatlán FC) is in the process of selling the club to Atlante FC, who are seeking to return to the top flight. Though, these reports are being contested.
Where: This impacts Liga MX, the top professional football league in Mexico. The clubs involved are Mazatlán FC (based in Mazatlán,Sinaloa) and Atlante FC (currently in the Liga de Expansión MX,based in Cancún,Quintana Roo).
When: The initial reports surfaced on May 16, 2024. The timeline for completion is unclear, and the situation is rapidly evolving with conflicting statements.
Why it Matters: This potential sale has significant implications for Liga MX:
* Atlante’s Return: Atlante,a historically significant club,was relegated in 2022. Acquiring Mazatlán would be a swift and controversial route back to the first division, bypassing the traditional promotion/relegation system.
* Grupo Salinas’ Exit: Grupo salinas, owned by Ricardo Salinas Pliego, has been a prominent (and frequently enough controversial) figure in Mexican football. Their departure would mark a shift in the league’s ownership landscape.
* League Stability & Fairness: The manner of Atlante’s potential return raises questions about the fairness and integrity of the Liga MX system. Concerns exist about circumventing sporting merit.
* Fan Reaction: Mazatlán fans are understandably anxious about the potential change in ownership and the future of their club. Atlante fans are excited about a potential return to the top flight.
Conflicting Reports & Key Players:
The situation is intricate by conflicting reports. Initial reports from ESPN and MARK indicated the sale was underway. However, prominent sports journalist David Faitelson vehemently denied the sale, calling it “completely false.”
Here’s a breakdown of the key players:
* Ricardo Salinas Pliego: Owner of Grupo Salinas and Mazatlán FC.
* atlante FC Ownership: The group seeking to acquire Mazatlán and return to Liga MX.
* David Faitelson: Influential sports journalist who disputes the sale.
* Liga MX Officials: The league will ultimately need to approve any ownership change.
Data Summary (Liga MX Relegation/Promotion):
The following table illustrates the recent relegation/promotion dynamics in Liga MX. This context highlights why Atlante seeking a shortcut is controversial.
| Season | Relegated Team(s) | Promoted Team(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Querétaro | Atlante (did not participate due to stadium issues) |
| 2023-2024 | Mazatlán (avoided relegation through playoff win) | None (format change suspended promotion/relegation) |
– davidthompson
The situation is incredibly fluid. The initial reports were based on sources claiming to be close to the negotiations, but Faitelson’s strong denial throws everything into question. It’s possible there were preliminary talks that fell apart, or that the information was deliberately leaked to test the waters. Liga MX’s recent decision to suspend promotion/relegation adds another layer of complexity, making a direct purchase the only viable path for atlante’s return in the short term. The league will be under pressure to ensure transparency and fairness, irrespective of the outcome.
What’s Next:
* Official Confirmation/Denial: We await official statements from Grupo Salinas