Juventus Owners Reject $1.2 Billion Takeover Offer from Cryptocurrency Firm
December 13, 2025 – ESPN News Services
Juventus, the most successful club in Serie A history, will remain under the control of the Agnelli family after its owners publicly rebuffed a $1.2 billion takeover proposal from cryptocurrency giant Tether. The offer, made for the majority shares held by the Agnellis in the Italian football powerhouse, was formally rejected on Saturday.
John Elkann, chief executive of Exor—the Agnelli family’s holding company—addressed the club’s supporters in a video statement posted on Juventus’ official website. “Juventus, our history and our values are not for sale,” Elkann declared. He emphasized the deep family connection with the club, stating, “Juve has been part of my family for 102 years. Over the course of a century, four generations have emboldened it, made it strong, taken care of it in tough times, and celebrated it in the many festive moments.”
Elkann reaffirmed the family’s continued commitment to Juventus, expressing confidence in the club’s future. “We continue to support our squad and are looking toward the future in order to build a winning Juve,” he added.
Juventus has experienced challenging times on the pitch since their era of dominance that saw them secure nine consecutive Serie A titles from 2012 through 2020. After a difficult start to the current season, the Turin club dismissed head coach Igor Tudor and appointed Luciano Spalletti last month in hopes of turning their fortunes around.
Spalletti praised the Agnelli family’s dedication during a press conference ahead of Juventus’ recent Serie A away match against Bologna. “It’s a pleasure once again to feel the strength and passion of John Elkann and his family for this club,” Spalletti said. “It’s clear that it’s up to us to give substance in exchange for this passion, honoring the past and building a future at the same level, or even better, as John Elkann himself told us when he came to visit us.”
The club’s current ownership remains steady despite past turbulence. Former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli and the entire board resigned in 2022 following a false accounting investigation. Meanwhile, Juventus stands apart as one of the few major Italian clubs still owned by an Italian family, with most others—such as AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Roma—controlled by foreign investment groups. Napoli, Serie A’s defending champions, are also Italian-owned under film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis.
In an official statement, Exor reiterated its position: “Exor reaffirms its previous, consistent statements that it has no intention of selling any of its shares in Juventus to a third party, including but not restricted to El Salvador-based Tether.” The holding company highlighted Juventus’s rich legacy and the family’s enduring pride in the club, emphasizing their full commitment to supporting the new management team to achieve strong performance both on and off the field.
This decision ensures that Juventus will continue to reflect the Agnelli family’s century-long legacy in Italian football, as the club looks toward rebuilding and reclaiming its status at the summit of both Italian and European football.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.