Mexico's Most Popular Soccer Team Cuts the TV Cord
- Most-watched Mexican soccer team in U.S. won’t renew deal
- Club offers an online platform for fans to watch games
Javier Cortes of Pumas fights for the ball with Carlos Cisneros of Chivas during the 1st round match between Pumas UNAM and Chivas as part of the Torneo Apertura 2016 Liga MX at Olimpico Universitario Stadium on July 17, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico.
Photographer: Miguel Tovar/LatinContent/Getty ImagesChivas, Mexico’s most popular soccer team, plans to part ways with U.S. broadcaster Univision Holdings Inc. when its contract comes up in 2018, betting it can make more profit by only offering matches through its $12-a-month online service.
The team has been emboldened by its decision in May to end its two-decade relationship with Mexico’s biggest broadcaster, Grupo Televisa SAB, and go online-only in its home country, charging users a fee to watch matches, behind-the-scenes footage and commentary. That change has helped Chivas better reflect its value, said Jose Luis Higuera, chief executive officer of the team officially called Club Deportivo Guadalajara SA, in an interview.