Saputo puts CF Montréal up for sale, prefers local buyer but won't rule out relocation

CF Montréal owner Joey Saputo announced Monday (November 9) the launch of a structured process to sell the Major League Soccer club, ending more than three decades of family ownership. The club will keep operating as usual, with priority given to Québec-based buyers; but Saputo said he will not sell at a discount to keep the team in Montréal, and he will not rule out relocation. (Image: file image of Stade Saputo.)

Thirty-three years of family ownership come to an end

The Saputo family founded the team in 1992 (then the Montreal Impact) and brought it into Major League Soccer in 2012. Saputo told a news conference the decision was not driven by urgency but by careful reflection, saying he believed "this is the appropriate time". The family has retained BMO Capital Markets as lead financial advisor and National Bank of Canada Capital Markets as co-advisor, with the process run in coordination with MLS; the management team and staff will stay in place, and the family will keep pursuing Canada Soccer's National Training Centre for Montréal.

Local buyers preferred, but no stay-in-Montréal clause

The club said its priority is to give Québec-based investors with the resources and commitment to support the club's long-term success a chance to come forward. Saputo said his preference is a buyer who shares his commitment to Montréal and will keep the club there; but if there is no local buyer and an offer comes in to relocate the club in line with MLS, "that's where it's going to be". He stressed he will not "discount the club to the point of just giving it away", the sale carries no clause requiring the team to stay in Montréal, and he declined to discuss his expectations for a sale price.

Change after the worst season in club history

The team has just finished the worst season in club history: last in the Eastern Conference with six wins, 20 losses and eight draws in 34 matches, for 26 points; head coach Marco Donadel was fired in April. Forbes' 2026 MLS team valuations rank Montréal last at about $440 million. Notably, this site reported on November 6 that the Molson family said it had no interest in buying the club.