CF Montreal for sale: Joey Saputo emotionally announces plans for MLS club

I want to speak to you frankly and directly. Since 1993, this club has been a central place in my life. It's a family story and a true passion. We have invested not only resources, but time, energy and a deep personal commitment to building professional soccer in Montreal. For me, this club has always been much more than a business. A source of pride and an important part of who we are, who I am. Lorsque nous avons commencé cette aventure, notre objectif était de redonner à notre ville. Cette ville qui nous a donné la possibilité de grandir et de devenir les gens d'affaires qui nous sommes aujourd'hui. Although nothing was guaranteed, the very idea that a professional soccer club could take root, grow, and become an integral part of the city was far from certain. Yet despite the odds, We move forward believing in what we can build, and over time we've built something. Throughout the past 30 years, we have experienced unforgettable moments of triumph, from winning championships to making deep runs in CONCACAF competitions. But our legacy will extend far beyond the results on the pitch. We also established an academy that has given young Quebecers, both male and female, The opportunity to pursue their dreams, whether playing at home in front of devoted fans or representing their country on the world's biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup. Et pour la grande majorité de ceux et celles qui n'ont pas réalisé leur rêve de jouer au niveau professionnel, nous avons pu leur orienter vers des études universitaires grâce à des bourses et les aider pour suivre le parcours scolaire. We have had the privilege of hosting world-class teams at our training facility and bring world-class soccer matches to our city. Over the years, we have watched former players grow beyond the pitch, develop within our organization, take on different roles across the business, and build meaningful careers after their playing days. Starting with nothing and overcoming every challenge along the way. We built a club that reached the highest level of soccer in North America, but our greatest achievement goes beyond the game itself. We built a community of passionate soccer fans, Connected opportunities for... created opportunities for people to connect, and helped make soccer an integral part of this city's identity. This is our legacy. Building something from nothing, creating opportunities, and bringing a community together through the game we love. After all these years of dedication, commitment, time and energy, I can say without hesitation that I am immensely proud of the people, the journey and everything this club has accomplished. Above all, I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of it. There are traditionally three metaphors creating a legacy that outlasts us. Plant the tree, leaving behind something tangible that continues to grow long after we are gone. Have a child and build a family, passing our values and experiences to shape the next generation. And write a book, preserving our thoughts, reflections, experiences. And ideas in a way that allows our voice and our story to live on. So if you want to know what I would have done differently, what my regrets are, what I've learned throughout the past 30 years, I would simply ask, be patient. I need to reflect on this journey, to revisit the memories, gather the experiences, and make sense of the lessons learned along the way. Perhaps one day, these reflections will find their way onto the pages of a book yet to be written. 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. After more than 30 years at the head of CF Montréal, we have made the decision to take a structured process in view of the sale of the club. After more than three decades of family ownership and leadership, the decision was taken to initiate a structured sale process. Cette décision marque un moment important de notre histoire et constitue une étape déterminante pour assurer l'avenir et le développement de CF Montréal. Cette décision n'était pas prise facilement. C'est même l'une des décisions les plus difficiles de ma vie. We believe this is the appropriate time to begin the process of identifying new ownership for the CF Montreal. 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 in deliberate reflection on where we stand today, and more importantly, on the opportunities that lie ahead for the club. Notre préférence est de trouver le bon acheteur ici afin que le club demeure à Montréal. Nous sommes convaincus que le CF occupe une place solide et bien établie au sein de la Major League Soccer. Le club s'appuie sur ses fondations both on a sporting and operational level, qui lui permet d'envisager l'avenir avec confiance et ambition. 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. Our objective is clear, to ensure continuity, preserve stability, and create the right conditions for the club's next chapter of growth and success. More than 30 years ago, we chose soccer as a way to give back to our community and contribute to the development of our city. This commitment remains intact. We will continue to work so that Montreal can provide the necessary infrastructure to support the development of soccer and fully realize its potential. Since early 2023, I have been focused on establishing the conditions necessary to position CF Montreal for long-term success both on and off the field. Today, we have a much clearer path forward, anchored by two critical strategic priorities, securing a sustainable future at the Olympic Stadium and in our pursuit of Canada's Soccer National Training Centre in Montreal. We will continue to work closely with the Olympic Park and the Quebec government to secure a long-term agreement that provides CF with greater operational stability, enhance its revenue-generating opportunities, and better aligns its business model with key performance indicators and financial benchmarks of Major League Soccer. Our family would continue to play a pivotal role through a substantial financial commitment towards bringing the National Training Centre here to Montreal. This would represent a transformational investment in the future of soccer in Quebec and Canada. If we were to secure the National Training Centre, it could not only become the potential new home of CF Montreal, our academies, Soccer Quebec and its regional associations, but it could serve as a hub for player development, coaching excellence and the broader growth of the game across the province. It would also contribute meaningfully to the development of Canada's national teams. Our clear preference is to find a buyer who shares our commitment to Montreal and who will ensure that the club remains in the city for many years to come. This is where the club was built, this is where its supporters have supported it for more than three decades, and this is where we believe its future lies. Finding the right buyer is not simply about concluding a transaction. It is about finding someone who understands what this club represents for the future. The sale process will be conducted with discipline, rigor, and care with the support of investment bankers that we have retained and in coordination with Major League Soccer. In the meantime, the club will continue to operate as usual. Our commitment to our players, our employees, our partners, and our supporters remain fully intact. All members of the team, including Gabriel, Lucas, Simonet, as well as the rest of the management team remain in position and will continue to exercise their current functions as a priority to lead the club. Are you one of those who have been a part of this adventure? Players, Employees, partners, and yes, even you, the media, thank you. Together you have helped build something that my family and I will always be immensely proud of. It is my sincere hope that you share in that pride, just as we do, and that you will continue to be part of the club's journey in the years ahead. To our supporters, I want to tell you that you have always been at the heart of this club. Your passion. 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. After 33 years, I believe it's simply time to pass the torch. In closing, 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 this city moments to celebrate. Merci pour ces nombreuses années. Merci pour votre attention.