Who sponsored Francisco Vazquez de Coronado's expedition?

In his 1540 expedition to investigate claims of golden cities, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado was sponsored by the viceroy of Mexico City, Antonio de Mendoza. This outside support was sought despite de Coronado's own family's great wealth since, being the younger son, he did not stand to inherit it.

The explorer was born in Salamanca, mainland Spain, around 30 years before his expedition.

Upon his arrival in New Spain, which encompassed present-day Mexico, Spanish Central America, Spanish Caribbean territories and parts of the Gulf Coast such as Florida, de Coronado worked in the colonial government there, eventually rising to the position of Governor within the province of New Galicia.