September 8 – Grupo Pachuca owner Jesús Martínez Murguía has confirmed that a majority stake in Mexico’s Club León is still up for sale as the multi-club group struggles to comply with FIFA club ownership rules and incoming Liga MX regulation.
In March 2025, Club León was kicked out of the Club World Cup as it was scheduled to face Chelsea, Flamengo and Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the first edition of the expanded summer tournament.
León had qualified to win the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup but were omitted in favor of sister club Pachuca who won the 2024 Champions Cup.
In 1995 Martínez acquired Pachuca and then in 2011, while León was still competing in Mexico’s second division, the Mexican businessman added them to his portfolio.
Both clubs are part of the multi-club structure of Grupo Pachuca alongside Spanish Real Oviedo and Chilean First Division club Everton de Vina del Mar.
Club León is valued at about $200 million, and Martinez said he is talking to several potential investors. Grupo Pachuca would give up its majority stake but would continue with an operational function within the club.
Martinez said the money from the sale would be used to buy other clubs outside of Mexico.
Speaking to the Mexican and Spanish press, Martínez said: “We also have three other teams. I am in the process of selling a percentage of Club León, in which I have been very involved with several investment funds, and we are also considering buying other teams around the world,” he said.
Asked if he would sell other clubs, and Real Oviedo in particular, he said that this was not in the group’s thinking and that he is committed to building the club, pointing to the acquisition of 40 hectares for the construction of a sports complex and training facilities.
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