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Saint-Étienne Soccer Club Enters Exclusive Talks for Sale to Toronto Businessman
Saint-Étienne, a renowned French soccer club, announced on Monday that it is currently engaged in exclusive negotiations for its sale to Larry Tanenbaum, a prominent Toronto entrepreneur.
The complete acquisition of the club, which notably reached the finals of the European Cup in 1976, is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. This development comes just days before a crucial end-of-season match as Saint-Étienne strives to secure a return to the top division of French football.
Tanenbaum, known for his role as the chairman and a minority stakeholder in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a company that owns various leading sports franchises in Toronto such as the NHL’s Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Raptors, expressed his sentiments regarding the potential acquisition. His interest in venturing beyond MLSE through Kilmer Group, his investment entity, was underscored by recent reports confirming his acquisition of a WNBA expansion team set to debut in 2026.
In a statement, Tanenbaum acknowledged the significance of Saint-Étienne within its local community and the broader context of French football, referring to the club as the “vital core of a city and its surrounding area.”
This isn’t Tanenbaum’s first foray into the European soccer landscape. In 2022, he collaborated with Stephen Pagliuca, owner of the Boston Celtics, and former football captain John Terry in an unsuccessful attempt to acquire Chelsea, a prominent Premier League club based in London.
Saint-Étienne’s Illustrious History and Future Prospects
Saint-Étienne boasts a remarkable sporting legacy, having clinched the French league title on ten occasions, with its last championship triumph dating back to 1981 during the era of iconic French midfielder Michel Platini. The club’s home ground, a 41,000-capacity stadium, is slated to host soccer matches for both the men’s and women’s competitions at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
As the pending sale progresses, Saint-Étienne is gearing up for a pivotal match against Quevilly as part of the final stage of the second-tier league. A victory in this fixture is crucial for the club’s aspirations of securing a runner-up finish and remaining competitive in the promotion playoffs, which involve four participating teams.
The club emphasized its desire for a prospective new owner who embodies trustworthiness, a wealth of experience, and financial stability in order to pave the way for an ambitious trajectory moving forward. Negotiations for the acquisition are being overseen by Ivan Gazidis, the former chief executive officer of esteemed football clubs Arsenal and Inter Milan.
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