Ivan Gazidisnew president of theASSEreturned to the project surrounding the takeover of the Saint-Etienne club by Kilmer Sports Ventures, of which he is also the main person responsible.
Kilmer Sports Ventures: a sports project serving ASSE supporters
ASSE is now owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures (KSV), an exclusive subsidiary of the Kilmer group of Canadian billionaire Larry Tanenbaum. Since March 2024, Ivan Gazidis, former manager of Arsenal and AC Milan, has taken the reins as president.
This acquisition is part of a long-term ambition to restore the image of this historic club in the French championship. During a conference organized by LeadersIvan Gazidis detailed the motivations of Larry Tanenbaum and Kilmer Sports Ventures: “Kilmer Sports is the brainchild of Larry Tanenbaum, a highly respected figure in the world of sports. By acquiring ASSE, he wanted to take on a new challenge, moving away from his usual investments. »
Larry Tanenbaum is notably a partner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd (MLSE), owner of the Raptors, Maple Leafs, Toronto FC and the Argonauts. “ASSE is a club with a very strong community. It is a club that has left its mark on the history of French football. This motivated us”.
ASSE: A new lease of life with Tanenbaum, the reassuring message from Ivan Gazidis
Ivan Gazidis underlines the unique character of this project: “Kilmer Sports is not a traditional investment fund. We have a long-term vision and are not subject to immediate financial constraints. »
The South African leader also highlighted the reliability of the Canadian project: “Larry Tanenbaum believes in the ability of sport to bring communities together. It is this very special emotional connection that we found in Saint-Étienne. » He then wanted to reassure the supporters: “Larry never sold any of his sports investments. He looks for opportunities where he can add value through his expertise.”
