MIAMI – April 4, 2025, has turned into a frustrating day for soccer fans in the United States as Club Pachuca has unjustifiably blocked TUDN from broadcasting the highly anticipated match against Club América. Scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. PT), this matchday 14 fixture in Liga MX was set to showcase two teams with vastly different fortunes this season.
As the situation stands, U.S. supporters of both Club América and Pachuca, along with Liga MX fans, will be unable to watch the game, which was originally slated to air on TUDN and Univision. This unexpected blackout is a result of ongoing legal disputes between Club Pachuca and Grupo Lauman, the owner of Fox Sports México, which has complicated the broadcasting rights for this match.
TUDN, the sports programming division of Univision, expressed its disappointment in a public statement, asserting that Pachuca’s actions constitute a breach of contract. “Today, Club Pachuca unjustifiably prevented TUDN from broadcasting the match in the United States,” the statement read. “As a result of this arbitrary action, U.S. fans of Club América, Pachuca, and Liga MX will not be able to watch the matchday 14 game scheduled for today.”
In the wake of this disruption, TUDN has announced plans to take legal action against Pachuca for the harm caused to their audience. “TUDN will take appropriate legal action for the harm being suffered by our audience and for Club Pachuca’s breach of contract,” they added. The network also extended its “deepest apologies to soccer fans in the United States,” emphasizing the unexpected nature of this blackout.
Club América, entering this match in first place in the Liga MX standings, has been in excellent form this season. With Pachuca lagging behind in seventh place, nine points adrift, the stakes were high for both teams. The match was expected to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing some of the league's top talent.
However, the legal complications have resulted in an unfortunate situation for fans. On April 4, Pachuca announced that the match would not be available on the free streaming platform Tubi due to their legal issues with Fox Sports. This restriction was later extended to TUDN, which holds the Spanish-language broadcasting rights for the U.S. market.
“Due to unfortunate circumstances beyond our control, which were announced yesterday, today’s match will also not be broadcast in the United States through TUDN,” Pachuca stated in their social media message. The club expressed gratitude for the understanding of their fans amidst this unjust situation.
With the match now only available to follow via radio, many fans are left scrambling for alternatives. Those who typically rely on streaming services or VPNs to access broadcasts will find themselves limited, as the game will not be airing on any television signal or audiovisual platform.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the discontent among fans continues to grow. Many are expressing their frustration on social media, questioning how such a situation could arise and calling for accountability from both Pachuca and the broadcasting networks involved.
The ongoing legal battle between Pachuca and Grupo Lauman has raised serious questions about the future of broadcasting rights in Liga MX, particularly for fans outside of Mexico. This incident may serve as a wake-up call for both clubs and networks to ensure that such disruptions do not occur in the future.
Despite the turmoil, Club América will undoubtedly be looking to capitalize on their current form and secure a crucial victory against Pachuca. However, without the support of their fans in the stands or at home, the atmosphere will be markedly different.
As we await further developments in this unfolding story, one thing is clear: the legal complexities surrounding broadcasting rights in soccer are becoming increasingly convoluted, and fans are often left in the lurch. The situation remains fluid, and TUDN's legal response could shape the landscape of Liga MX broadcasting in the United States moving forward.
In the meantime, soccer enthusiasts across North America will be forced to rely on radio broadcasts and social media updates to keep up with the match. The disappointment and anger felt by fans are palpable, as they are left to wonder when they will be able to enjoy their favorite teams on screen once again.
As the match unfolds, the focus will not only be on the action on the pitch but also on the implications of this broadcasting debacle. Will TUDN's legal action lead to a resolution that benefits fans, or will it further complicate the relationship between clubs and broadcasters? Only time will tell, but for now, the frustration of the fans is at the forefront of this developing narrative.
