By Michael Nsikan Richard – December 16th, 2025
The Offer
Multiple Italian media outlets report that Tether, the cryptocurrency company behind the USDT stablecoin, submitted a binding all-cash proposal to acquire all shares of Juventus Football Club, offering €2.66 per share and valuing the club at approximately €1.1 billion ($1.2-1.3 billion).
This represented a 21% premium over the trading price, as Juventus shares closed at €2.19 on the Milan stock exchange before the bid.
The Rejection
Exor N.V., the Agnelli family’s holding company that controls 65.4% of Juventus, unanimously rejected the unsolicited proposal. The decision came swiftly—Tether made the offer Friday evening, and Exor officially rejected it Saturday (December 13-14, 2025).
Exor CEO’s Response
John Elkann, CEO of Exor and grandson of Fiat tycoon Gianni Agnelli, posted a video message stating, “Juventus, our history, and our values are not for sale,” as reported by ESPN. He emphasized that the club has been part of his family for 102 years, with four generations having supported it through difficult times and celebrations, according to ESPN.
Exor’s Formal Statement
Exor reaffirmed it has no intention of selling any shares in Juventus to any third party, including Tether, making clear this wasn’t about the price but about preserving family ownership and legacy.
Tether’s Position
Tether already owns an 11.5% stake in Juventus, acquired earlier in 2014. TheScore and Insider Sports narrate that Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino stated his company was prepared to invest €1 billion in developing the club, saying, “Juventus has always been part of my life. I grew up with this team.”
Tether has promoted its goal to “Make Juventus Great Again,” a play on Donald Trump’s slogan.
Context & Implications
The rejection represents a significant setback for cryptocurrency’s entry into elite European football ownership. While crypto companies have successfully secured sponsorships and launched fan tokens, outright ownership of a top-tier club remains elusive.
The Agnelli family has controlled Juventus since 1923 and this decision underscores that traditional sporting institutions prioritize heritage and long-term vision over even substantial financial offers.
Market Reaction: Decrypt reports that the Juventus Fan Token (JUV) dropped over 13% following the rejection, while Juventus Football Club shares jumped 14%, suggesting investors supported the family’s decision to maintain control.
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