By: Elvis Jocol Lara
Adios Univisión. For the last 36 years the network has been THE home of fútbol in the homes of millions of Americans. But after 12 World Cups, Univisión will no longer be the United States Spanish language broadcaster of the world’s greatest competition.
With the final blow of the whistle by Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli in yesterday’s final between Germany and Argentina, Univisión broadcasted its final moment of World Cup soccer for what could be a very, very long time.
Without much fanfare or even awareness, millions of Latinos who learned the game and learned what passion for fútbol is all about, said goodbye to the only World Cup broadcaster we’ve ever known.
Starting in 2018, the Spanish language broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup in the United States will transfer from Univisión to Telemundo, leaving us all a little bit uncertain of whether the game presentation will ever be the same. Sure, the Gold Cup and even Copa América will still grace the screen on Univision’s airwaves, but it will be at least 12 years, if not longer, before Univisión broadcasts the big show once again.
Univisión’s coverage has not been without its detractors over the years and it certainly has not been perfect. Even I found myself switching over to ESPN more than ever from time to time during Brazil 2014 (ESPN, coincidentally is also losing its US rights to the World Cup in 2018). Among the complaints levied against network were a seeming bias towards the Mexican national team at the expense of other Latin American teams, the objectification of women, and a lack of true game analysis. But it’s seemingly always gotten a pass, because, well, it’s all we’ve ever known and we’ve come to love it; it’s ours.
With a style all its own, Univisión combined passionate in-game commentary, light-hearted banter, humorous (some might say ridiculous) special reports and, of course, lots and lots of sex appeal. For the outsider, it could easily be seen as sophomoric and juvenile, true. But if the alternative is an overanalyzed, dry and joyless broadcast (ESPN I’m looking at you) Latinos have shown time and time again that we will not view it. For Latinos, the World Cup is a celebration of fútbol and our national identities, not an exercise in the dissection of in-game tactics. Univisión understood this better than anyone.
The network was the lone advocate of the beautiful game, our game, when no other network in the United States would give it a chance. It believed in the Latino fan before any other network or league did and it provided an opportunity for millions of immigrants to pass on their love of the game to children born in the United States. Would second generation Latinos be as passionate about the game if they never had the chance to watch the World Cup with their families growing up?
Coming from Guatemala, my family is a soccer family, but growing up in the United States, I grew up surrounded by Baseball, Football, Hockey and Basketball fans; soccer was still a punch line in most circles when I was a child. But I can still vividly remember watching the 94 World Cup surrounded by family and hearing the legendary “Goooooool” call by Andres Cantor and thinking this was the greatest thing I had ever heard; detractors be damned.
Cantor and broadcast partner Norberto Longo (may he rest in peace), became the voice of Soccer for millions of fans who grew up in the 90’s. They are the main reason that Latinos today, even those who predominantly communicate in English, prefer to listen to Futbol broadcasts in Spanish. Hell, even hockey fans have tried to bring Cantor into their world to liven up their game (Psst… You can’t have him!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99cmJOSpelQ
The departure of Cantor and Longo from Univision came as a surprise to many (Cantor is actually in the Telemundo Sports family, so they have that going for them) and it took a while to warm up to a new generation of announcers but Univisión was eventually able to recreate the excitement with the more than formidable Pablo Ramirez. Apparently, it’s even a debate as to which of the two is better (What do you think?)
The World Cup has helped Univisión maintain a relationship with bicultural and bilingual Latinos long after we’ve tuned out the vast majority of their programming. As more of us begin to tune out telenovelas, the once iron clad bond between Latinos and the network will likely begin to wane.
Personally, fútbol was the last bit of programming remaining on the network that drove me to tune in. Long gone are the days that I would watch telenovelas with family or sit down 
on a Saturday night to watch Sábado Gigante. In retrospect it is probably that nostalgia for the purple, green, red and blue shield that makes the upcoming separation a little sad (I’m still not over the loss of the NBA on NBC).
Rationally, it also seems to be unfortunate that after decades of supporting the World’s greatest game and its fans, Univisión will not be able to usher the World Cup into the the next generation for those fans who were brought up on their broadcasts. But like all other sports, fútbol is a business.
A quick trip through memory lane on Youtube uncovers a lifetime of memories shared along with Univisión. From Italy 90
To USA 94
Germany 2006
and South Africa 2010
Univisión brought us some of the most memorable moments and games we have ever seen in a way that sparked emotion and passion. With a tournament that comes only once every 4 years, it can be difficult to remember specific games and plays like we do with our year round leagues such as the NBA and NFL.
Because of this, the World Cup is all about the moments we share with friends and family and the overall experience. I might not be able to recall how each game went down, but I remember things like waking up at 7 am to watch the final of the 98 World Cup and sitting in bewilderment with bleary eyed family as the Brazilians went out unceremoniously to host France.
I remember sitting stunned as the US went up 3-0 against Portugal and then almost as stunned as Portugal clawed their way back in with a little help from Jeff Agoos.
I remember being late for a college class in 2006 as I grasped to the small sliver of hope that the US would go through after their match with Algeria… and go through they did!
From this year I will forever remember Keylor Navas coming up huge for the Ticos against Greece, then sitting in disbelief with family as the hopes of Central America went out against Holland in the next round.
And through it all, Univisión was the network that brought those moments into our home, in the only way Univisión knew how, and it was glorious.
So, it’s with a bit of regret that I bid Univisión farewell and thank them for the moments, the joy and the memories. Bienvenidos, Telemundo. Frankly I don’t know you very well, pero te toca a ti… and you have some mighty big shoes to fill.
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Elvis Jocol Lara is Founder and President of Casa Guatemala and an experienced Marketing professional who has worked with some of the world’s leading brands. A child of Guatemalan immigrants, he was born in Boston and raised in Waltham, MA. He is a regular contributor to ElMundoBoston.com and El Mundo Newspaper Follow him on Twitter @ElChapin.
