Club Atlas Of Liga MX Purchased By TV Azteca For $50 Million

Recent news concerning soccer in Mexico has been focused on the national team over the past few months as El Tri continued its quest to qualify for a sixth-straight World Cup. After taking down New Zealand in a two-legged qualifying playoff, head coach Miguel Herrera and his squad were finally able to celebrate advancement after struggling mightily at times throughout the qualification process. Unable to secure a berth at the conclusion of the CONCACAF Hexagonal round that included the United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama and Jamaica, El Tri needed a big time effort in the playoff to move on.

Watching their beloved team dominate an overwhelmed All Whites club, Mexican soccer fans can now turn their focus once again to the Liga MX, which is currently in the quarterfinal round of the Apertura playoffs. While each of the eight teams continue to build toward a championship, recent news concerning one of the league's oldest teams has grabbed the attention of soccer fans in Mexico and in the social media world. According to Reuters, TV Azteca has purchased long-time Liga MX affiliate Club Atlas for a fee of approximately $50 million.

TV Azteca is Mexico's second-largest broadcaster and is responsible for bringing soccer to thousands of fans across the globe, with the channel also carried outside of Mexico. The station is owned by businessman Ricardo Salinas, who also owns the soccer club Monarcas Morelia. Atlas, a Guadalajara-based club that was formed in 1916, continues to battle financial issues since falling behind with payments to various players and managers but the new deal with the television superpower should help the club get back on its financial feet in a quicker fashion. Club president Eugenio Ruiz, who watched his team fail to qualify for this season's Liga MX Apertura Playoffs, is excited about the new partnership because he knows it further legitimizes both outlets.

"A company with these characteristics guarantees that Atlas can continue being a top-level team that aspires to the championship," he said. "It is a historic night, our commitment is to the fans. Guadalajara is more important with Atlas."