Juan Carlos Rodríguez, who until this Friday was commissioner of the Mexican Soccer Federation, officially presented his resignation at the Second Members’ Assembly of 2024, citing personal reasons, the organization reported in a statement.
“From the FMF we only have words of gratitude to him for all the work he has done in favor of our football. We wish him the greatest success in his future projects,” stated the federation.
“La Bomba” has more than 30 years in the sports industry, standing out in projects such as the organization of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the creation of TUDN and Estadio W.
Upon his arrival, Rodríguez assumed the responsibility of leading the development and growth strategy of national soccer.
Its focus included centralizing broadcast rights, attracting new investors, and reforms in areas such as arbitration and training young talent.
In addition, it sought to implement a more efficient corporate model, which called for mandatory financial reporting for clubs and the elimination of subsidies to the Expansion League.
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failed investment fund
Juan Carlos Rodríguez’s recent attempt to establish an investment fund with the American firm Apollo Global Management failed to materialize, a fact that would have led him to resign from his position.
This fund had the objective of raising 1.25 billion dollars to promote strategic projects in Mexican soccer, such as the development of infrastructure, centralization of television rights, training of young talents, strengthening of the minor leagues, among other objectives.
However, the plan met resistance within the Assembly of Owners of the Liga MX clubs.
The teams most opposed to the deal cited concerns about the loss of autonomy in financial decision-making, as well as questioning the long-term benefits of such an agreement.
Other clubs agreed, considering that the resources could provide economic stability and improve the competitiveness of soccer.
Mikel Arriola, interim commissioner
In his place, Mikel Arriola, until then executive president of Liga MX, was appointed as interim commissioner.
The Assembly agreed with Arriola to form a committee of 10 teams in January to resume fund negotiations and reinforce the corporate governance of the FMF.
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