CF Montréal owner Joey Saputo has initiated a structured sale process for the MLS club, marking the end of more than three decades of family stewardship.
Three Decades of Ownership
The club has retained BMO Capital Markets as lead financial advisor, with National Bank Financial serving as co-advisor to identify potential buyers. The team will continue its day-to-day operations as normal throughout the transition, CF Montréal confirmed in an official statement. This includes the continued roles of Gabriel Gervais, Luca Saputo, and Simone Saputo.
Club Value Grows Despite Low League Ranking
While Saputo did not disclose a specific asking price, the franchise’s value has grown significantly since he paid an expansion fee to join MLS in 2012. As of June 2025, Forbes estimated the club’s value at $435m, ranking it as the second least-valuable franchise in the league, ahead only of the Colorado Rapids, according to The Guardian.
Recent league transactions suggest the potential for a high sale price. In May, a 37% stake in the Columbus Crew was sold at a valuation, and in January, Peter Malouk purchased 71% of Sporting Kansas City at a valuation, The Guardian reported.
CF Montreal owner Joey Saputo has announced that he will initiate the process to sell the MLS club. Saputo founded the franchise in December 1992 as the Montreal Impact and helped bring the team to MLS in 2012. pic.twitter.com/YR2L6KWb6t
Relocation Possibilities
Saputo expressed a clear preference for a buyer who would keep the club in Montreal, but he refused to rule out a sale to an ownership group that might move the team.
He noted that he would not "discount the club to the point of just giving it away" simply to secure a local buyer if that buyer lacked the financial capacity to support the team’s growth, The Guardian reported.
Poor Performance Leads to Supporter Boycotts
The announcement follows the club’s worst season in history, which ended on MLS Decision Day after the team failed to qualify for the postseason for the second year. The squad also suffered a defeat in the Canadian Championship final against Forge FC, a club from the Canadian Premier League.
Frustration reached a point where supporters boycotted matches late in the season. The club has historically operated with a thrifty approach to roster spending and salaries, having won only one playoff game since 2016. Previous bright spots for the team included the tenures of striker Didier Drogba between 2015 and 2016, and head coach Wilfried Nancy from 2021 to 2022.
Saputo Family Seeks National Soccer Training Centre
The Saputo family remains involved in efforts to bring a national soccer training centre to Montreal. Saputo indicated this facility could serve as a future home for the club, the academy, and Soccer Québec, CF Montréal reported. He noted that today, there is a clearer path forward regarding the Olympic Stadium and the pursuit of the training facility.
Questions About the Club Sale and Montreal Operations
Why is the club being sold now? Saputo stated that the decision is not driven by urgency or circumstance, but by a thoughtful assessment of the club’s position and future after more than three decades of family ownership.
Will the team definitely stay in Montreal? Not necessarily.
What happens to the staff and management?
The club announced that day-to-day operations will continue as usual, and the current management team and staff—including Gabriel Gervais, Luca Saputo, and Simone Saputo—will remain in their positions throughout the sales process, CF Montréal reported.
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