‘It’s simply time to pass the torch’: Joey Saputo looking to sell CF Montreal, putting future of franchise in doubt
Posted November 9, 2026 10:48 am.
Last Updated November 9, 2026 8:14 pm.
The future of CF Montreal is up in the air.
Joey Saputo, the current owner and chairman of CF Montreal, says he is looking to sell the Major League Soccer franchise.
Saputo, who founded the team in 1992 and helped bring it into MLS in 2012, says “now is the time to pass the torch.” The move would mark a significant transition for the soccer club Saputo helped build from the ground up.
“We believe this is the appropriate time to begin the process of identifying new ownership for the CF Montreal,” he told a press conference at Saputo Stadium on Monday afternoon. “When something has been part of your life for so long, the decision to let go is done with a great deal of emotion.
“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 for the club.”
The businessman says while he wants the team to remain in Montreal, he would not sell it at a discount to keep it in the city, nor would he impose a clause on the sale forcing new owners to do so.
“If there’s an offer that comes in to relocate the club and it’s in line with Major League Soccer and what they want to do, then yeah, that’s where it’s going to be,” Saputo said.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t say that there would be no greater satisfaction than seeing this club continue to thrive and connecting fans through a shared love of the game, inspiring young players and giving the city moments to celebrate.”
A legacy built over three decades
Saputo says the club has always meant more to him and his family than simply running a business.
“We have invested not only resources but time, energy and a deep personal commitment to building professional soccer in Montreal,” he said. “For me, this club has always been much more than a business. It’s been a passion, a source of pride and an important part of who we are, who I am.”
Over the past three decades, the club has celebrated championships, made deep runs in CONCACAF competitions and established an academy that has given young Quebecers opportunities to pursue professional soccer.
Saputo says the club’s legacy also extends beyond the field, pointing to the opportunities created for former players, employees and young athletes, as well as the community of supporters built around the game.
“Most importantly, starting with nothing and overcoming every challenge along the way, we built a club that reached the highest level of soccer in North America,” he said.
“But our greatest achievement goes beyond the game itself. We built a community of passionate soccer fans, created opportunities for people to connect and helped make soccer an integral part of this city’s identity.”
He says he is proud of what his family has accomplished and grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey.
Saputo also reflected on the idea of leaving behind a legacy, comparing it to planting a tree, building a family and writing a book.
He said he would need time to look back on the past 30 years, reflect on what he learned and consider what he might have done differently.
“And to borrow the metaphor of the book, there comes a time when we must recognize that a chapter needs to come to an end,” he said.
New ownership faces pressure to turn things around
Saputo’s announcement follows the worst season in club history, with Montreal finishing last in the Eastern Conference with just six wins from 34 games. The team also lost the Canadian Championship final to Canadian Premier League club Forge FC. Frustrated supporters boycotted games late in the season as the club struggled on the field.
Saputo said those struggles did not inform his choice.
“We believe this is the right time to welcome a new ownership group with the resources, vision and commitment to build on the strong foundation we have established, and carry forward the club’s proud legacy,” he said.
Saputo says the goal is to ensure stability and continuity while giving the club the opportunity to grow under new ownership.
Sports journalist Jeremy Filosa says the announcement did not come as a major surprise, pointing to how the club had been operating over the past couple of years.
He says he had also heard rumours about six months ago that the possibility of a sale had been raised within Montreal’s business community.
Looking ahead, Filosa believes the next ownership group will need to focus on making the team competitive again and rebuilding its relationship with supporters.
“The first thing is you need to put a winning product on the field. That’s number one,” he said.
“People want to see a winning product. They want to see a winning team. They want to see star players on the field.”
Filosa also says the next owners will need to reconnect with the club’s history, including former players, while improving relationships with supporters, sponsors and the media.
“Be nice to people. Get along with people. Get along with media members. Get along with your fans. Get along with your sponsors,” he said.
Fans want the club to stay in Montreal
For supporters, the possibility of new ownership brings hope, but also uncertainty about what comes next, particularly whether the team will remain in Montreal.
“I hope they get better support or somebody in Quebec who cares about soccer because they have a lot of fans,” one Montrealer said.
Another supporter says their biggest concern is how players and staff will be treated under new management.
“I honestly just really hope that the team is going to be okay, like mentally and physically, and everything’s gonna be okay,” she said.
A third Montrealer says he would be comfortable with a change in ownership as long as the team stays in the city.
“I think it’s kind of crazy, but as long as this team stays in Montreal then I’m okay with it. Just don’t want the team to relocate,” he said.
Club operations to continue as sale process moves forward
For now, it’s business as usual at CF Montreal, with the club continuing its operations as the ownership search moves forward. Team management and staff will remain in place during the transition to new ownership, Saputo explained.
The Saputo family has retained BMO Capital Markets as its lead financial advisor and National Bank of Canada Capital Markets as co-advisor to manage the sale process and identify potential buyers, in coordination with Major League Soccer.
He says there is still important work to be done to secure the team’s future. Two key priorities are establishing a long-term agreement at the Olympic Park and bringing Canada’s national soccer training centre to Montreal. The proposed facility could become a hub for player development and soccer organizations across the province, with the Saputo family pledging a substantial financial commitment toward the project.
If secured, the centre could serve as a potential home for CF Montreal, its academies, Soccer Quebec and its regional associations, while also supporting the development of Canada’s national teams.
Saputo says his family’s preference remains finding a buyer who shares its commitment to Montreal and wants to keep the club in the city for years to come.
“I know it’s been difficult during certain moments along the way, but I’ve never doubted how much this club means to you and I want you to know that your support has meant a great deal to us,” he said.
