Meet the Liga de Balompie Mexicano, Mexico's alternative, independent soccer league that has nothing to do with Liga MX, the Mexican Federation or FIFA. The league was founded in 2020 with the goal of giving opportunity to players who didn't get a spot in the existing professional clubs, as well as clubs who didn't meet the minimum requirements to participate in the existing pyramid.
The initial idea seemed interesting, after all 3 division for a country of 126 million people doesn't seem like enough. They even managed to revive, and include, tradition clubs such as Veracruz and Toros Neza. Also, the LBM was the first league to ever be sanctioned by CONIFA (an alternative organization to FIFA which will soon get a blog post of it's own).
Despite some positive moves early on, LBM has struggled with financial stability. Getting attention from local media and potential sponsors/investors has proven to be tougher than imagined. Even though there have only been 5 seasons played, 7 clubs who had previously participated are already in hiatus. Attracting crowds to the games has also been tough, some teams play in stadiums with capacities as low as 500, and play in front of virtually inexistent crowds.
In addition, some of the latest news to come out of the league smell of desperation. Rumors of Carlitos Tevez joining a team to bring attention to the league have surfaced, as well as the possibility of the clubs participating in the Copa Libertadores. None of which seem to have any merit.
Here's a curious fact though, to not end this on such a negative note. Out of the 5 leagues and 2 cups that the LBM organized so far, Chapulineros de Oaxaca have won all but 1 cup, so maybe there is at least one team playing at a level worth paying attention to.
It's hard to tell what the future holds for the Liga de Balompie Mexicano, but it seems like the uphill battle has only just begun.