Atlas FC has been put up for sale by Grupo Orlegi with an asking price of $400 million. This comes amid Liga MX’s efforts to address the issue of multi-club ownership, as the league tightens regulations following the Club World Cup expulsion of León.
In a significant development for Liga MX, Atlas FC has been placed on the market by its current owners, Grupo Orlegi, with a hefty asking price of $400 million. This move comes in the wake of rising scrutiny around multi-club ownership in Mexican football, following the controversial expulsion of León from the Club World Cup.
The news of Atlas FC’s potential sale has come as a direct result of the growing pressure on Liga MX to resolve the issue of shared club ownership, also known as multipropiedad. This problem has long been a thorn in the side of the Mexican league, with clubs like Grupo Caliente previously owning both Querétaro and Club Tijuana before selling Querétaro to U.S. investors earlier this month.
With the Club World Cup expulsion of León (owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Pachuca FC) due to violations of the league’s ownership rules, Grupo Orlegi has decided to sell Atlas. Orlegi has owned the Guadalajara-based club since 2019 and led them to an unforgettable back-to-back league title victory in 2021–2022. Despite their success, it seems the time has come for a change in ownership to comply with the league’s evolving stance on multi-club management.
Reports suggest that Grupo Orlegi is seeking a reported $400 million for Atlas FC, a club with significant potential, both in terms of sporting success and commercial value. While there have been no formal offers made public at this stage, the asking price reflects the club’s historic importance and the future growth potential under new ownership.
Given Atlas’ recent success and its deep cultural ties to Guadalajara, the sale is expected to draw interest from both domestic and international buyers. However, no confirmed buyers have emerged yet, leaving the situation in a state of flux.
While Grupo Orlegi’s move to sell Atlas represents an important step in addressing the issue of multi-club ownership in Liga MX, it is far from the final solution. Other major ownership groups like TV Azteca, which controls both Puebla and Mazatlán, and Grupo Pachuca, which owns Pachuca FC and León, are still heavily invested in multiple teams.
The overarching goal of Liga MX is to create a more level playing field and prevent any conflicts of interest in the league’s competition structure. With Orlegi’s decision to sell, it seems the league is inching closer to resolving the issue, but there’s still work to be done.
In an official statement, Orlegi Sports explained that the sale of Atlas FC is part of a planned transition to ensure that the club continues to grow under new ownership. The group emphasized the importance of finding a buyer who understands the club’s cultural and sporting significance to the region.
To manage the sale process, Orlegi has enlisted the services of Moelis & Company, ADS, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as financial and legal advisors. These teams will guide the transition and ensure that the sale is carried out in an orderly and strategic manner.
As the club prepares for a change in ownership, the immediate focus for Atlas is on the pitch. Under the management of Gonzalo Pineda, the team has started its Apertura 2025 campaign with a 3-2 victory over Puebla on the road. The club will now face a much tougher challenge in the coming week, hosting Cruz Azul at home.
While the sale process unfolds, Atlas FC remains focused on maintaining its competitive edge in Liga MX and continuing its progress under Pineda‘s leadership.
With Atlas FC now up for sale at a $400 million asking price, the move signals a key moment for both the club and Liga MX as they work to resolve multi-club ownership conflicts. The sale could pave the way for a new era at the club, but the challenge will be finding the right buyer to continue Atlas’ legacy.
