Club Deportivo Chivas USA of Major League Soccer today announced that CEO and General Manager Javier León is leaving his post to pursue other endeavors, including the prospect of outside projects with Antonio Cué, Chivas USA President and Co-Owner.
"I would like to thank Chivas USA for the opportunity to work with this groundbreaking organization," said León. "The chance to work with a Mexican expansion team oriented towards the rapidly expanding U.S. Hispanic marketplace, in a growing league like Major League Soccer, over the past three years has been a tremendous learning experience for me. As I leave to pursue other endeavors, I trust that, in my absence, Chivas USA will continue to grow both on and off the field."
"On behalf of Chivas USA I would like to thank Javier León for his three years of hard work and dedication to this club," said Chivas USA President and Co-Owner Antonio Cué. "Since Chivas USA first joined Major League Soccer in 2004, Javier has been fundamental in helping build what we have today: a successful and dynamic soccer team and a growing organization that, like the sport of soccer itself, has a very bright future in the United States."
The 41-year-old León, a native of Mexico City, had been a member of Chivas USA since the club's inception, in 2004. Previously, he worked in the field of international finance, for such companies as Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and Bering Securities. He was named CEO of Chivas USA Enterprises, LLC, in August 2004, and added the responsibilities of General Manager, on an interim basis, in March 2007.
As CEO of Chivas USA Enterprises, from 2004-2007, León oversaw the founding of Chivas USA as an expansion team in Major League Soccer and the successful management of Mexican sister team Chivas de Guadalajara's commercial rights in the United States. Under his direction, Chivas USA reached the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in just its second in MLS (2006), while setting league records for corporate sponsorship in its inaugural year (2005).
