Tether's All-Cash Bid to Buy Controlling Stake in Juventus Reportedly Rebuffed

Stablecoin issuer Tether announced on Friday that it submitted a binding, all-cash proposal to acquire the majority stake in the Italian professional soccer club, Juventus Football Club. Tether's bid was directed at Exor, the holding company of the Agnelli family, which controls a 65.4% stake in Juventus, a public company valued around $1.1 billion (€944.49 million market cap).

Key Details of the Proposal:

• Target Stake: 65.4% controlling stake held by Exor.
• Contingency: If Exor accepts, Tether would launch a public offer for the remaining shares at the same price.
• Investment Pledge: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino promised a further €1 billion ($1.1 billion) investment in the support and development of the club if the acquisition is successful.
• CEO's Motivation: Ardoino cited a personal connection to the club, saying, "For me, Juventus has always been part of my life... I learned what commitment, resilience, and responsibility meant by watching Juventus."

Bid Immediately Shot Down

Despite Tether's proposal and pledge of strong financial backing, reports indicate the bid has already been rejected. A source close to Exor told AFP that "Juventus is not for sale," suggesting the Agnelli family intends to hold onto the club they have controlled for over 100 years.

Tether's Expanding Influence

This full acquisition attempt follows Tether's previous investments in the club:

• The company first bought a stake in Juventus in February and increased it to over 10% in April.
• In October, Tether nominated two executives, Zachary Lyons and Francesco Garino, to the football club's board of directors, with Garino's appointment being approved by shareholders last month.

The stablecoin issuer has been diversifying its business beyond its core USDT token, with investments also targeting artificial intelligence, robotics, and health platforms.

December 2025, Cryptoniteuae