Universidad de Chile faces leadership crisis and sponsorship loss

Universidad de Chile is navigating a period of significant institutional instability involving the removal of its entire board of directors at Azul Azul, the club's concessionaire. Liquidator Eduardo Godoy confirmed that the board, led by president Cecilia Pérez, was revoked due to a breakdown in communication and trust regarding negotiations over the use of the university's name and brand.

A new transitional board is expected to be appointed by November 16, following an extraordinary shareholders' meeting. This transition aims to stabilize the club while the sale of shares previously held by the Sartor group continues, with a new owner anticipated by late March or early April.

Compounding these administrative issues, the club has reportedly lost a major sponsorship deal with Betano. The company had intended to become the primary sponsor for the 2027 and 2028 seasons in a deal worth approximately US$ 3 million per year, but withdrew before the contract was signed. This loss is particularly impactful as the club had already notified Adidas of the change for its centennial jersey.

Additionally, the club has addressed public allegations regarding executive compensation and matchday expenses. The administration defended the salaries of executives Michael Clark and Cecilia Pérez, noting they were previously disclosed in official reports, and defended matchday costs by citing stadium rental differences and increased security requirements.