Kilmer Sports Ventures Enters into Exclusive Negotiations to Acquire French Professional Football Club AS Saint-Étienne
May 13 2024 - 10:10PM
Kilmer Sports Ventures, a part of Kilmer Group, announced today it
has entered into exclusive negotiations with shareholders to
acquire AS Saint-Étienne, one of France's most decorated and
beloved football clubs.
Founded in 1933, AS Saint-Étienne’s 90-year legacy includes ten
Ligue 1 championships, the top tier of French football, a deep
commitment to community and an unrivalled fan base that extends
well beyond the city to the whole region. After twenty years,
current shareholders Bernard Caïazzo and Roland Romeyer are looking
for new owners that will build on their vision for the club and,
with the right resources and expertise, return Saint-Étienne to its
elite position in the league.
If successful, the exclusive negotiations will transfer
ownership of the club to Kilmer Sports Ventures, leveraging the
unparalleled expertise of two leaders in the world of sports –
Larry Tanenbaum, a 30-year veteran and one of the most well
respected and trusted team owners in North America, and Ivan
Gazidis, a legend in European football excellence with a
demonstrated track record in building championship clubs.
“AS Saint-Étienne is more than just a football club, it’s a
community,” said Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman and CEO of Kilmer Group.
“It’s the beating heart of the city and the region, and has been
for nearly 90 years. That’s something, as new owners, we would
respect, preserve, and promote. I’m optimistic for what lies
ahead.”
"It's an honour to engage with a club as prestigious as AS
Saint-Étienne,” said Ivan Gazidis, President of Kilmer Sports
Ventures. “Our aim is, step-by-step, to engage with the club’s fans
and to bring Saint-Étienne back to the highest level of French
football, where it can compete with pride in accordance with the
club’s historic values."
For media inquiries:
Courtney Glen, Kilmer Group, cglen@kilmergroup.com
About Kilmer Sports Ventures:
Kilmer Sports Ventures is a division of Kilmer Group and focuses
on investment opportunities in the world of sport and
entertainment. Kilmer Group is a multi-generational platform with a
long history in business development and investment focused on
three verticals: Infrastructure & Real Estate, Sports &
Media, and Private Equity, which includes a majority ownership in
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited.