Tether, issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has formally submitted a €1.1 billion all-cash offer to acquire a controlling stake in Juventus Football Club. The proposal targeted the 65.4% ownership held by Exor, the investment firm of the Agnelli family, who have controlled the club since 1923.
According to Tether, the bid would be fully financed from its own reserves, with additional plans to invest up to €1 billion more in club development. CEO Paolo Ardoino cited both business goals and personal ties to the club, describing the offer as motivated by “admiration and respect.”
Proposal Rejected by Exor
Despite the scale of the bid, Exor swiftly rejected the offer. A source close to the company stated that “Juventus is not for sale”, reaffirming the Agnelli family’s long-standing position. The offer included a share price premium above market value, and would have been followed by a public tender for the remaining shares.
Juventus stock ended slightly lower following the news, while the club’s fan token (JUV) surged by more than 30%, suggesting mixed market reactions.
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Tether’s Existing Stake and Strategic Plans
Tether already owns around 11.5% of Juventus, making it the club’s second-largest shareholder. The company also holds a seat on the club’s board, secured earlier in 2025. The attempted acquisition is part of a wider strategy by Tether to expand beyond crypto and into high-profile industries like sports, AI, and infrastructure.
According to the company, the €1 billion investment – if the deal had proceeded – would have been used to support global expansion, performance upgrades, and new commercial initiatives.
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Future Possibilities
While Exor has declined the offer, Tether signaled continued interest. The company maintains that it is financially equipped for such investments, and has been exploring tokenization and new capital initiatives that align with its long-term growth strategy.
For now, Juventus will remain under Agnelli family control – but the proposal highlights how digital finance firms are becoming serious players in sectors that once felt far removed from crypto.
