Latest news with #Querétaro
Forbes
20 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Liga MX Team Querétaro Sells For More Than $120 Million To American-Led Group
In its 75-year history, Querétaro F.C. has never won a title in the top division of Mexican soccer, finishing 12th among the 18 teams in Liga MX this year. But six weeks after the conclusion of the season, the club, based in Querétaro, about three hours northwest of Mexico City, has scored a major victory. On Thursday, a group led by Marc Spiegel, founder and managing member of Atlanta-based investment firm Innovatio Capital, closed its purchase of Querétaro from Jorge Alberto Hank of Grupo Caliente, Mexico's largest sports betting company. The deal values the club at more than $120 million, a person with knowledge of the terms tells Forbes . Innovatio, which was formed two years ago and is making its first investment, declined to name additional investors beyond the Fonseca Group, an agency that blends talent representation with private equity, but indicated that they include several experienced North American sports and entertainment executives. Spiegel, who founded waste management firm Rubicon and first entered the sports world when he launched the NIL collective at the University of Louisville in 2022, will serve as Querétaro's chairman. 'We've looked at over 200 different investments across the world, multiple continents,' says Spiegel, who made a bid to buy England's Charlton Athletic in 2023 before deciding a money-losing club didn't fit his investment thesis. 'A number of people that I talked to had mentioned Mexico, and we hadn't really looked at it that much, but when we dug in, we saw the most potential of any league that we've looked at.' The deal could soon be followed by the sales of three more Liga MX teams, which are all expected to trade at higher prices than Querétaro. The clubs have been on the block to eliminate a cross-ownership issue within Liga MX, where four groups have each maintained significant stakes in two rival teams simultaneously: Grupo Caliente (which owned Querétaro and Tijuana), Grupo Orlegi (Atlas and Santos Laguna), Grupo Pachuca (León and Pachuca) and Grupo Salinas (Mazatlán and a share of Puebla). Removing those conflicts of interest would help satisfy FIFA rules that do not permit multiple teams with common ownership to participate in its interleague competitions. (For instance, León and Pachuca both qualified for this year's Club World Cup, but León was ultimately barred from the tournament.) The motivation for the divestitures, however, has more to do with a Liga MX investment being negotiated by New York-based Apollo Global Management, which ranks among the world's largest investment firms and manages more than $700 billion in assets. In 2022, Apollo pitched Liga MX on a roughly $1.25 billion investment in exchange for 20% of the profits from the league's non-Mexican media rights over the next 50 years, Sportico reported at the time. Apollo finally reached an agreement with Mexican Football Federation president Juan Carlos Rodríguez last December, with the NFL's venture arm lined up to participate in the investment and a new revenue-sharing proposal in place that had reportedly expanded beyond media rights to include streams such as ticket sales (albeit at a lower percentage). Resistance from a handful of teams—reportedly including Querétaro—prevented that deal from reaching a vote at the Liga MX owners' meeting in December, and Rodríguez, who had said the arrangement would require unanimous approval, resigned in response. Several media reports at the time suggested the deal was dead, but a league insider tells Forbes that negotiations have continued with Rodríguez's interim replacement, Liga MX president Mikel Arriola. A revised deal is expected to come to a vote at the next owners' meeting this winter, with other private equity firms believed to be circling in case the Apollo transaction collapses. Apollo declined to comment for this article. Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation did not respond to a request for comment. Stronger corporate governance—including the elimination of cross-ownership—is believed to be a continued point of emphasis in the negotiations, spurring teams like Querétaro to sell now rather than wait for a mandate and risk losing leverage as the clock ticks down. Apollo's other major aim is believed to be a reorganization of Liga MX's media rights and sponsorships. For example, Spain's La Liga groups those deals under a commercial entity, which sold a stake to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners in 2021 in an arrangement similar to what Apollo initially proposed. (Major League Soccer also once had a similar deal with Providence Equity, until 2017.) That setup would require an overhaul of the broadcast rights in Mexico. Unlike other top professional leagues in soccer—and in virtually every other sport—Liga MX does not offer a national package of media rights, instead allowing each individual team to partner directly with networks. In part, that is a remnant of a system in which broadcasters have wielded major influence, even controlling teams in the cases of Club América (spun off from Televisa in 2024) and Mazatlán and Puebla (which, through Grupo Salinas, share ownership with TV Azteca). 'The current situation is a fragmented landscape that doesn't help fans, and it doesn't help the teams, and it doesn't help the league,' Ed Malyon, a general partner at Innovatio, tells Forbes . 'Centralization of media rights would be a huge turning point in the league's history.' Given that television fees have been the primary factor driving up sports team revenue and valuations over the last decade—just look at the NFL's deals for a minimum of $125.5 billion over 11 years, or the NBA's 11-year, $76 billion package—a new media rights bundle could dramatically shake up Liga MX's business. It would also come at an opportune time, with MLS stuck in a partnership with Apple TV that is widely seen as disappointing and with many European soccer leagues recently seeing their fees stagnate or even decline. Meanwhile, Fox Corporation recently acquired Mexico's Caliente TV, and Amazon announced a partnership with the Mexican federation that included an increase in the number of Liga MX games streaming on Prime Video—suggesting there is an appetite for the league's inventory if the market opens up. 'We like this trajectory more,' Spiegel says. An Apollo deal could also give Liga MX investors a lasting advantage over Europe if it were to permanently eliminate the league's promotion-relegation system, in which the bottom club in the standings at season's end is demoted in favor of the top team in the second division. In 2020, the Mexican federation agreed to suspend relegation for six seasons, to help stabilize Liga MX during the Covid-19 pandemic. Clubs in the second-tier Liga Expansión are currently waging a legal battle to reintroduce the opportunity of promotion, but Apollo is believed to have demanded an end to the system as a condition of its investment, which would reduce the risk for the owners of top-division teams. Against that backdrop—and with a long line of investors who are eager to own a sports franchise but can't necessarily afford billion-dollar price tags—Liga MX has begun to attract new investor interest. For instance, an American-led group featuring actress Eva Longoria bought about half of Club Necaxa in 2021, and a year later, a subsequent stake sale valued the club at more than $200 million, according to Sportico . Wrexham AFC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought in in 2024, and now, they and Longoria are producing an FXX docuseries featuring the club that is set to premiere next month, importing the Welcome to Wrexham model to Mexico. Good Show: Guillermo Allison and Querétaro have the advantage of playing in Liga MX, which has historically attracted more American TV viewers than MX's valuations still trail far behind MLS, whose 29 teams (setting aside expansion club San Diego FC) are all worth at least $415 million, with an average of $690 million, according to Forbes estimates. (Just this month, Sportico reported that the Columbus Crew had sold a 10% stake at a $900 million valuation.) Liga MX clubs look even more like a bargain given that Forbes' 2025 MLS team values had an average revenue multiple of 9.3; by contrast, Querétaro is valued at roughly 5 times 2024-25 revenue, a person with knowledge of the deal tells Forbes , and the forthcoming sales are expected to be priced between 6x and 7x. Liga MX has other advantages over MLS as well. For starters, it is unquestionably the top sports league in its soccer-mad domestic market, and even in the U.S.—and amid the messy media rights landscape—Liga MX draws more TV viewers than MLS. And while Forbes estimates that 16 MLS teams operated at a loss last season, the majority of Liga MX clubs are believed to generate positive cash flow. 'It's a good product with less cost,' says Adrian Madero, a senior vice president at the Fonseca Group. 'It starts from the infrastructure—you can build a state-of-the-art stadium for 25,000 people in Mexico for less than $50 million. There's no way you could do that in America. And if you're in the hole for $800 million, then you need to start charging more for tickets and more for beer, and it's just a cycle of more expensive operations.' Spiegel's group is also optimistic about the local outlook for Querétaro, which plays its home games in a fast-growing metropolitan area of 1.5 million that is a manufacturing and data center hub. A rumor has circulated online that a sale could lead to the club being relocated to another city, but Malyon says the new owners have never even discussed a move. 'You look at what's going on in that city and that state in terms of economic development, in terms of quality of life, in terms of population growth, people moving there from different parts of not only Mexico but also outside of Mexico—I liken it to what's happened with Austin, Texas,' Spiegel says. 'And as you look at the number of international businesses that have a presence there, those are opportunities for partnerships.' Malyon believes the group's data model—evaluating every dribble, pass and shot in a game—can improve player analysis and development, and better on-field results would boost ticket sales. Meanwhile, Madero thinks Querétaro has low-hanging fruit with its merchandise, sponsorships and licensing. 'It's a unicorn of an opportunity,' Madero says, 'because we're investing in Liga MX at the tipping point of getting the right corporate governance, the right mentality of growth, the right way of doing business.' More From Forbes Forbes The World's Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2025 By Justin Teitelbaum Forbes The Highest-Paid Players At The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup By Justin Birnbaum Forbes The Billionaire Who Brought Messi Magic To Miami By Justin Birnbaum Forbes The Most Valuable MLS Teams 2025 By Justin Birnbaum
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Jorge del Villar: A Vision Rooted in Strategy
In an industry where trends shift at the speed of light and visibility is often mistaken for influence, Jorge del Villar stands out for exactly the opposite. His leadership is not built on noise, but on nuance. From Querétaro, Mexico, Jorge has earned the respect of his peers not just for what he says, but for how he thinks — and more importantly, how he acts. With more than two decades of experience in the world of advertising and strategic communication, Jorge del Villar has quietly but firmly positioned himself as one of the most respected minds in his field. In Querétaro, he is widely recognized as a leading expert in outdoor advertising and a reference for what it means to build thoughtful, results-driven campaigns in a market that demands both creativity and accountability. A graduate in Marketing from UCO Mondragón University, Jorge began his professional journey by identifying what others overlooked: businesses with great products or services often lacked the tools to effectively communicate with their audience. This early insight led him to create solutions that focused on visibility, strategy, and impact — principles that have guided him ever since. Today, Jorge is the mind behind Anunciarte, a well-established outdoor advertising company with a strong presence across the state of Querétaro. The company has become known for its comprehensive coverage through billboards and urban signage, offering strategic spaces that reach a wide spectrum of the population. But what sets Anunciarte apart is not just its media presence, but the strategic thinking behind each campaign, the way each message is placed, and the intention with which each space is used. While his work in outdoor media continues to set standards, Jorge's vision has evolved to include editorial communication. His latest project, Alternativa magazine, is proof of that. Launched as a bimonthly print and digital publication, Alternativa has already reached its seventh edition — and with it, remarkable success. In a media landscape saturated by speed and superficiality, the magazine has managed to offer something different: thoughtful content, curated voices, and a pulse on what matters most to readers today. Without ever claiming to be a journalist, Jorge has approached Alternativa with the same strategic clarity that defines all his work: identify a gap, build a platform with substance, and let the content speak for itself. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Readers from across sectors — business, culture, education, and social development — have found in Alternativa a space for ideas, reflection, and contemporary issues beyond the headlines. What makes Jorge del Villar's success particularly relevant is the way he balances business savvy with long-term vision. He doesn't rush. He doesn't follow trends blindly. And he doesn't confuse popularity with purpose. His decisions are measured, his steps are deliberate, and his goals always stretch beyond immediate impact. Colleagues describe him as a calm strategist — someone who leads through clarity rather than pressure. He listens more than he speaks, and when he speaks, people tend to lean in. Whether it's leading a campaign, guiding a team, or launching a new media platform, Jorge brings a mindset shaped by empathy, ethics, and experience. Young professionals who seek him out for mentorship often find that he doesn't offer shortcuts. Instead, he offers perspective. He teaches that real leadership requires patience, that not all projects will succeed, and that the value of relationships often outweighs the value of transactions. 'Stay focused on the purpose, not just the path,' he tells them. 'The path will shift. The purpose should stay firm.' That kind of clarity is rare — and it's part of what has allowed Jorge to sustain influence in such a competitive industry. He doesn't need to be everywhere to be relevant. He doesn't need to sell himself to be credible. His work does that for him. From outdoor advertising to editorial publishing, Jorge del Villar Fausto has found a way to build bridges — between brands and audiences, between content and community, between strategy and meaning. And he continues to do so from Querétaro, not just as a local leader, but as a figure whose values and approach resonate far beyond regional borders. In a world of fleeting fame and viral noise, Jorge's story reminds us that there's still space — and need — for leadership that's rooted in thoughtfulness, built on substance, and guided by integrity. Media Contact Company Name: OPUS Contact Person: Mauricio More Email: Send Email Country: Mexico Website: Source: Tree Connection
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers accomplish 'pivotal step' on quest to create new-age solar panels: 'We are honored to contribute'
Scientists at the Autonomous University of Querétaro in Mexico have discovered how to make perovskite solar cells, a type of thin-film cell, more stable and efficient without using traditional lead halide perovskites, which pose health and environmental risks, as relayed by Tech Xplore. The findings were published in Optical and Quantum Electronics. Solar panels are made of individual solar photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, which contain the technology to convert the photons from sunlight into electricity. According to the Department of Energy, the main semiconductor material favored and used in most solar cells is silicon due to the element's abundance on Earth and silicon's high efficiency in converting light into energy. Silicon solar cells dominate the market, representing 95% of all solar modules sold. An up-and-coming type of solar cell is perovskite cells — a type of thin-film solar cell "built with layers of materials that are printed, coated, or vacuum-deposited onto an underlying support layer, known as the substrate," per the Department of Energy. These layers help the solar cell absorb light, separate charge particles, and create an electrical circuit, allowing electricity to flow. The potential to create perovskite layers with printing technology makes this solar cell economically attractive for the solar industry, helping to lower solar production costs. Perovskite solar cells are also highly efficient at converting light into energy — comparable to silicon cell technology. It's why scientists have been iterating this thin-film solar in the lab, achieving over 20% improved efficiency progress in the last decade. One flaw, however, is that the most common type of perovskite used in perovskite solar cells is lead halide perovskites, according to Solar Magazine. Lead halide perovskites can contaminate the environment, leaching lead into the ground, and affect plants and crops, affecting local ecosystems and the larger food chain. Lead toxicity in humans can lead to anemia and high blood pressure in adults, and interfere with brain development and hearing in children. Motivated to replace lead halide perovskites with an alternative and sustainable material, the researchers at the Autonomous University of Querétaro toyed with a chalcogenide perovskite — (Ca,Ba)ZrS3 — composed of calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), zirconium (Zr), and sulfur (S). Which of these factors is the biggest obstacle preventing you from getting solar panels? The upfront cost The way they look Not sure where to start No concerns here! Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. This perovskite has strong thermal and chemical stability, as relayed by Tech Xplore, and has a bandgap that can be fine-tuned to fall within the "sweet spot" for solar energy — reaching 1.26 eV. The ideal bandgap range for photovoltaic material is 1 - 1.8 eV, according to a Joule article. The researchers paired this perovskite with advanced inorganic spinel hole transport layers, which help move positively charged particles, or "holes," in solar cells to where they need to go in the electrical circuit to produce the flow of electricity. Testing the performance of this perovskite solar cell, the researchers found that they were able to improve the power conversion efficiency "to an impressive rate of over 34% by meticulously engineering layer thickness, carrier concentration, and interface properties." Feasible perovskite solar cells could drastically lower the production cost for solar, passing on the cheaper rate to consumers and making cleaner energy more accessible. Transitioning to solar also helps reduce global dependence on dirty energy, which contributes to heat-trapping gases that raise global temperatures and cause extreme weather events. Accessible solar will also improve air quality, which lowers the risk of respiratory illnesses and related health issues. "The future of solar energy is being reshaped, and we are honored to contribute to this promising transformation," said Latha Marasamy, one of the study's researchers. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Mexican fuel theft gang dismantled in major operation
Thirty-two people have been arrested in an operation targeting one of the main criminal organisations responsible for fuel theft in central Mexico, authorities gang stole fuel by drilling into pipelines and then storing it in warehouses, according to the security and civilian protection García Harfuch said gang members would then sell the fuel illegally across Mexico City and the states of Hidalgo and Queré a press conference on Sunday, García Harfuch said some gang members had also forged documents and maintained connections with local authorities to facilitate operations. He identified suspects Cirio Sergio "N" and Luis Miguel "N" as two of the main alleged leaders of the criminal organisation tasked with coordinating the extraction and distribution of the man, named as Aurelio N, was identified as a leading "logistic and financial operator of the criminal cell," García Harfuch operation was the result of six months of investigative work to identify and locate gang members, authorities said. García Harfuch also said 12 properties that served as the gang's operation centres were seized, alongside nearly 50 vehicles, 36 firearms and 16 million pesos (£619,464) in animals and exotic species – including a lion cub, a jaguar cub and two spider monkeys - were also found at the an update on X on Sunday evening, he said "these animals were in risky conditions" and were now being taken care of by the federal attorney for environmental protection's office.
Bloomberg
18-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Latin America's Data Center Gold Rush Comes With Some Big Risks
From Querétaro to Valparaíso, a digital revolution is quietly unfolding across Latin America. The region is capturing unprecedented investments for the construction of data centers, the physical facilities that house servers, networks and data storage units to run applications and other digital services. Despite its political and economic upheavals, Latin America offers important advantages for these capital-intensive projects, including abundant renewable energy and natural resources such as metals and rare earths, a skilled local workforce and, in some cases, favorable jurisdictions or even tax incentives.
