GUADALAJARA - The Universidad de Guadalajara (U de G) announced the resurrection of its once popular Leones Negros professional soccer team, while the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG) administrators are overhauling the image of their not-so-popular Tecos team.
The public-funded U de G have bought the Chivas feeder team, called Tapatio, from owner Jorge Vergara for 800,000 dollars. The Black Lions will compete in the next tournament of the Primera Division A, one league below the Mexican First Division.
U de G Rector Marco Cortes says the team will only receive funds from corporate businesses within the university’s network, which includes hotels, a sports club and the Diana and Telmex , among other ventures.
Diego Peterson, editor of local daily Publico, questioned whether the team can be financially viable solely through sponsorship and ticket sales.
“The U de G should not forget that it operates on public funds meant for education and they will have to account for each peso that is given to the team. If they don’t find a an appropriate board of trustees to finance the operation quickly, what the team will give the university administration will be only headaches.”
The Black Lions entered the top flight of Mexican soccer in 1974 before being bought up by the Mexican Soccer Federation in 1994 to make way for a reduction in the number of teams. They never won a championship but were runners-up on three occasions.
Across the city in Zapopan, it’s all change for the city’s UAG team, until Monday known simply as the Tecos.
The Estudiantes Tecos have been born with a new burgundy and yellow kit to replace the old red and white one, a new team logo and a change in direction.
“This is a great opportunity,” signalled Juan Jose Frangie, who heads the investment group that will oversee the running of the Estudiantes. “It seems fans aren’t happy with their teams, some so much so that they have lost their support because they want results.”
The idea is to reinvent Tecos to appeal to disillusioned fans of both Chivas and Atlas and later to garner student support from outside Jalisco.
“We want every student in the country to relate to the team and have the opportunity to come and enjoy our sports facilities,” added an optimistic Frangie, the former Chivas general director.
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