ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by briefly introducing the historical background to the
Mexican football industry. The main body of the chapter outlines the current
issues, developments and challenges involved in theMexican football business
today. A detailed situation analysis of the environment in which Mexican
football operates helps to identify the current issues, strengths and weaknesses
of the business and its commercial structures. Features examined include the
demand for football, the quality of the ‘‘product,’’ domestic structures and
organisation, patterns of ownership and control, marketing and sponsorship,
and infrastructure and stadia development. A general overview of the revenue
streams indicates that Mexican football enjoys a relatively unusual balance
between the different revenues streams of broadcasting monies, matchday
revenues, player transfers and commercial revenues. All these factors are then
brought together within the framework of a SWOT analysis. The chapter
includes two case studies that help to illustrate challenges particular toMexican
football within its cultural context: the transfer system and the ‘‘gentleman’s
agreement,’’ and the relationship between TVand Mexican football.