Joey Saputo Announces Sale of CF Montréal as Club Seeks Stability and Growth
Joey Saputo, the longtime owner of Major League Soccer’s CF Montréal, has confirmed that the club is officially up for sale. In a press conference on Monday, delivered in both French and English, Saputo stated the team has begun exploring potential buyers and remarked, “it’s time to move on.” The 62-year-old entrepreneur emphasized that the objective of the sale is to “ensure continuity, preserve stability, and create the right conditions for the club’s next chapter of growth and success.”
In a prepared statement, Saputo expressed the sentiment shared by many when he noted, “There comes a time when we must recognize that a chapter needs to come to an end.” He has overseen the family-owned franchise for over three decades and believes now is the right moment to seek new ownership. “This decision is neither driven by urgency, nor dictated by circumstance. It’s the result of a careful and deliberate reflection on where we stand today, and more importantly on the opportunities that lie ahead of the club,” he added.
Saputo, who is the son of Emanuele “Lino” Saputo, the CEO and founder of the Canadian dairy giant Saputo Inc., founded the Montreal Impact in 1992. He played a pivotal role in its transition to Major League Soccer in 2012, leading to the team’s rebranding to CF Montréal in 2021. Additionally, Saputo holds the majority stake in the Italian club Bologna.
During the press conference, he revealed that two firms have been hired to assist with the sale, although he has yet to engage in discussions with them. Notably, Saputo clarified that he is not looking for a partner but rather a full owner to take over the franchise.
While Saputo expressed a “clear preference” for a buyer committed to keeping the franchise in Montréal, he acknowledged the possibility of selling to an out-of-town buyer if local offers do not meet expectations. “I would love for the club to stay here in Montréal. But if the club doesn’t find a local buyer, and I get an offer, and the club needs to be relocated, then I have no choice and that’s the decision I will take. I will not discount the club to the point of just giving it away for the sake of giving it away,” he stated.
The decision comes on the heels of a difficult period for the team, which has struggled significantly over the last two seasons, failing to secure a playoff spot both years. This season, CF Montréal finished second-to-last in the league with a record of 6 wins, 8 draws, and 20 losses.
“It’s not the past season that we had, or wasn’t one particular event,” Saputo said regarding the club’s recent performance. “When you’ve been in this the amount of time that I’ve been in this, there comes a certain point when you say, ‘You know what, I’ve done everything I could possibly do, and it’s time to pass the torch.'”
CF Montréal’s season concluded on MLS Decision Day, marking their second consecutive year missing out on postseason play. Throughout their history in MLS, the club has never advanced beyond the semifinals in the playoffs.
