The president of Santos Futebol Clube, The decision allows the international investment fund to begin a detailed due diligence process, expected to last between 60 and 90 days, to verify the accounting and operational conditions of the white-and-white institution. The agreement establishes a period of exclusivity in negotiations, preventing the Santos board of directors from negotiating with other interested parties while the technical analysis is ongoing on the premises of Vila Belmiro.
This initial step does not constitute the immediate sale of the football department, but it represents the most concrete progress of the current management towards the transformation of the administrative model of the Peixe. Santos will also conduct a parallel investigation into the financial health and investment capacity of the foreign group to ensure the security of the billion-dollar business. XP Investimentos acts as financial advisor to the São Paulo club, while Rothschild & Co assists the investor group in negotiations.
Santos Futebol Clube and SDCpic.twitter.com/RZg1r1AlEN
— Santos FC (@SantosFC)February 27, 2026
Financial details and structure of the billion-dollar proposal
The offer structured by the Saint Dominique group foresees a total contribution reaching the mark of 2 billion reais to take control of 80% of the shares of the future company. The amount is divided between 1 billion reais in direct investments for football and infrastructure, in addition to full responsibility for paying the club’s debt, also estimated at around 1 billion reais.
- Direct contribution of 1 billion reais to capitalize SAF.
- Assumption of total debts valued at 1 billion reais.
- Acquisition of 80% of the voting capital of the new sports entity.
- Deadline of up to three months to complete the document audit.
Bureaucratic procedures and reform of social statutes
For the transaction to progress from the non-binding phase to a definitive proposal, Santos needs to make profound changes to its internal legislation. The club’s current statute has restrictions that prevent the majority sale of football shares, requiring a broad reform that must be debated and voted on by the councilors.
After approval in Conselho Deliberativo, the project to create the SAF and the sale of shares must be submitted to the review of the partners in an Assembleia Geral Extraordinária. The process is internally classified as long and complex, demanding absolute transparency regarding the terms of the final contract to guarantee the support of the associative mass.
Origin of capital and profile of the investor group
The Saint Dominique Sports LLC group is headquartered in Estados Unidos and is powered by resources from the Santo Domingo family, one of the most influential in Colômbia. The family conglomerate already has experience in the media and sports sector, controlling TV Caracol and holding a minority stake in Washington Commanders, an American Football League (NFL) franchise.
The proposed management for Santos should not rely on central figures or owners acting as public spokespersons, differentiating itself from other SAF models seen in Brasil. The fund’s intention is to establish a professional administration led by market executives, maintaining the discretion that characterizes the founding family’s businesses in other sectors of the global economy.
Preservation of historical identity and contractual restrictions
Despite the possible transfer of controlling interest to foreign hands, the preliminary agreement establishes strong clauses to protect the tradition of Santos Futebol Clube. The exclusivity contract already signals that fundamental points in the club’s history are non-negotiable and cannot undergo changes under the command of the new managers.
- Mandatory maintenance of the official name Santos Futebol Clube.
- Prohibition of changing traditional colors and uniforms.
- Preservation of the official anthem and historical symbols of the institution.
- Headquarters and games management remain in the city of Santos.
Next steps and technical visits from investors
Representatives of the American fund should arrive at Brasil in the coming months to meet in person Centro, Treinamento Rei Pelé and Vila Belmiro. Essa technical visit is part of the current infrastructure assessment schedule and will serve to support the international expansion plan of the Santos brand.
The in-depth analysis will seek to identify operational bottlenecks and opportunities for modernization in the base categories, a sector considered strategic by investors. Somente after validating all financial and physical data, the Saint Dominique group will decide to present the binding proposal, which would oblige both parties to comply with the legal transaction.
Impact on competitiveness and market positioning
The central objective of the partnership, according to an official statement released by the club, is to accelerate the development of professional football and strengthen the team’s competitive performance in national and international tournaments. The board believes that the injection of foreign capital will allow Santos to regain its financial prominence compared to rivals that have already adopted similar business management models.
In addition to investing in athletes, the project aims to improve the brand’s positioning in the global market, exploring the commercial potential of being the club that revealed Pelé and Neymar. The expectation is that the SAF will bring a more rigid governance structure, reducing the risks of uncontrolled debt and ensuring the club’s long-term sustainability.
Legal difference between the types of proposal
It is essential to understand that the non-binding proposal signed by Marcelo Teixeira functions as a letter of intent that does not generate purchase or sale obligations. Ela serves to open the club’s doors to the investor’s auditors, ensuring that the information presented during the prospecting phase is true and auditable.
The binding proposal, which may occur after due diligence, is the definitive document that seals the commitment between the parties. At Nesse stage, the investor confirms real interest in the acquisition and the club undertakes to deliver the shares according to the price and conditions established, depending only on internal approvals from the collegiate bodies of Santos.
Context of black and white finances and search for solutions
Santos has faced a challenging financial scenario in recent years, which led to the acceleration of talks to create the SAF under the management of Teixeira. The accumulated debt has limited the club’s investment capacity in the transfer market, making the search for a strategic partner a matter of institutional survival.
The acceptance of the American offer comes at a time when the club is seeking to restructure itself to regain its place in the elite of Brazilian football. The possibility of paying off 1 billion reais in immediate debts is seen by the president’s allies as the fastest way to clean up the accounts and allow the football department to work with a predictable and robust budget.
