The Business of Soccer in Mexico: Investment, Growth, and the 2026 World Cup

Investing in Liga MX

• 🚀 Sam Porter, owner of Club Necaxa, discusses Apollo Sports Capital's focus on providing capital solutions across the sports ecosystem.
• 💡 Porter highlights his background as Chief Strategy Officer for D.C. United and his investment in Club Necaxa, aiming to bridge the gap between Liga MX and US soccer culture.
• 💰 The formation of Apollo Sports Capital aims to be a dedicated platform with its own balance sheet to address the growing needs of the sports asset class.
• 📈 Porter details his investments in Club Necaxa, the Brooklyn pickleball team, and Club La Equidad in Colombia, emphasizing a thematic opportunity in Latin American sports.

Club Necaxa's Growth Strategy

• 🎯 Porter explains the investment in Club Necaxa involved understanding the city of Aguascalientes and the club's deep roots, noting the city's international feel due to Nissan and Mercedes-Benz presence.
• ⚽ The strategy for Club Necaxa includes building a strong on-field product, showing ambition, and connecting with fans, even when facing losses.
• 🌟 Since 2021, goals have shifted towards growing commercially, leveraging the success of the TV show 'Necaxa' and aiming to break into the top tier of Mexican football.
• 🤝 The commercial success of the TV show is expected to enhance the club's platform, potentially helping retain players by increasing its profile and attractiveness.

Liga MX's Business Evolution

• 🌎 Gonzalo Soto, Bloomberg reporter, explains that while Liga MX is popular in the US, its teams are often undervalued compared to MLS franchises.
• 📈 The league is increasingly following the MLS model, including suspending promotion and relegation, which has drawn criticism but also financial benefits from playing in the US.
• 🤝 Mexican fans have mixed feelings about the close relationship with MLS, appreciating the revenue generated from Leagues Cup but not yet seeing strong on-field rivalries.
• 🌟 Liga MX is looking to collectivize its media rights, a move that could significantly boost revenue and leverage, similar to major European leagues.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Impact

• 🏟️ Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, the three largest cities with deep soccer histories.
• 💰 The World Cup is expected to bring over 5 million visitors to Mexico City alone, driving significant economic impact through tourism and investment, mirroring the success of Formula 1 in Mexico.
• ⚽ The tournament is anticipated to create a massive surge in interest for soccer in North America, attracting new fans and further solidifying the sport's growth.
• 🚀 The increased investment and fan engagement driven by the World Cup are expected to create a flywheel effect, bringing more dollars and eyeballs into the soccer ecosystem.