Joey Saputo Puts CF Montreal Up for Sale
CF Montreal owner Joey Saputo announced on November 9, 2026, that he is putting the Major League Soccer franchise up for sale after more than three decades of involvement, leaving the team’s long-term future in Quebec uncertain.
Saputo founded the club in 1992 as the Montreal Impact and guided its entry into MLS in 2012.
When you’ve been in this the amount of time that I’ve been, there comes a certain point when you say, you know what, I’ve done everything that I could possibly do and it’s time to pass the torch,
Saputo said during a press conference at Stade Saputo.
What did we learn about the future of CF Montréal from Joey Saputo's press conference? 👀 "He laid out demands (to stay in Montreal): 'Come and take it to another level, otherwise why would I sell it to you?'" pic.twitter.com/pVpyQO0WZp
Relocation Remains Possible Without Local Buyer
While Saputo expressed a clear preference for keeping the team in Montreal, he refused to make local ownership a strict condition of the sale.
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,
Saputo told reporters. The Guardian highlighted historical parallels to the Montreal Expos baseball team, which left for Washington in 2004 after struggling to find local financial backing.
🗞 Communiqué du CF Montréal >>> https://t.co/9Uhp5yd1mT 🗞 CF Montréal press release >>> https://t.co/S2XLsch0xi #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/HKlse5KzpW
Forbes valued CF Montreal at US$440 million in February, placing the club in 30th and last place. The club retained BMO Capital Markets and National Bank of Canada Capital Markets to manage the structured sale.
Worst Season in Franchise History
The announcement follows a dismal campaign on the pitch. Montreal finished last in the Eastern Conference during the 2026 season with six wins, 20 losses, and eight draws, while also losing the Canadian Championship final to Forge FC.
CF Montréal is up for sale. The threat of relocation is very real. This plus the ongoing and very real fears of the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps… It is a very sad day for those local supporters. w/ @PaulTenorio https://t.co/cqnT0vV2uP
Day-to-day operations will continue normally during the transition. Gabriel Gervais, along with Saputo’s sons Luca and Simone, will remain in their current leadership roles.
Stadium Hurdles and Winter Calendar Changes
A major complication for any prospective buyer is the team’s home venue.
The nearby Olympic Stadium is undergoing modernization and is slated to reopen in 2028, but any tenant arrangement would require a new lease.
The club enters the market shortly after the Vancouver Whitecaps initiated their own sale process in December 2024.
BREAKING: CF Montréal owner Joey Saputo says he has put the club up for sale. pic.twitter.com/qUMVYutObK
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is CF Montreal worth on the market?
Forbes valued the franchise at US$440 million in February, ranking it 30th in MLS. Saputo has not publicly stated an exact asking price.
Who is managing the sale process for the team?
The family hired BMO Capital Markets as lead financial advisor and National Bank of Canada Capital Markets as co-advisor to oversee the transition alongside MLS.
Will the team definitely stay in Montreal under new management?
No guarantees have been made. Saputo stated he would prefer a local buyer, but would accept an offer involving relocation if a qualified local group fails to emerge.
What stadium challenges does the franchise face?
Stade Saputo is not winterized, which creates challenges as MLS transitions to a summer-to-spring calendar in 2028 after the 2027 sprint season.
CF Montreal owner Joey Saputo announces club is for sale, quite forcefully does not rule out relocation. "If the club doesn’t find a local buyer and I get an offer where the club needs to be relocated, then I have no choice." With @tombogert:https://t.co/iQN3R85bwm
Earlier coverage: CF Montréal Owner Joey Saputo Initiates Sale Process for MLS Club