New Juventus stakeholder: We can financially support the team for ‘2000 years’ | OneFootball

Juventus’ financial future may be in the safest of hands after Paolo Ardoino, CEO of the Bianconeri’s new minority stakeholders Tether, claimed his company has the means ‘to support the team for the next 2000 years’.

Last week, the Old Lady announced that cryptocurrency firm Tether, led by Ardoino and his compatriot Giancarlo Devasini, had acquired a minority stake in the club.

Speaking in an interview with Corriere della Sera, Ardoino revealed that his passion for Juventus is one of the reasons behind his decision to invest in the Bianconeri, also suggesting he had been previously in talks with people at the club.

epa11889200 Juventus’ Weston McKennie (L) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Champions League play-offs first leg soccer match between Juventus FC and PSV Eindhoven, in Turin, Italy, 11 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

New Juventus stakeholder on Juventus’ potential, favourite player and best game ever

“It’s a process that had been going on for a while, a few months, during which we bought shares on the market: we are still small players,” Ardoino explained.

“I’ll answer honestly: we would like to help the current management, asking if it will then be necessary to acquire a larger stake. But there’s no Machiavellian plan behind it.

“In the past, there have been exchanges with the management and ownership for a strategic evaluation.”

Commenting on why Tether decided to invest in Juventus, Ardoino mentioned the club’s ‘incredible potential’, also adding that a further step could see them become their sponsor as well, as he suggested that the firm has a huge ‘financial capacity’.

“I would say it’s a combination of factors, starting with our support: both Giancarlo (Devasini, the founder) and I are Juventus fans,” Ardoino continued.

“We are not a speculative fund. And we think the team has incredible potential, after all, Juve are one of the most important clubs in the world. It seemed right to support an Italian opportunity.

“They associate us with cryptocurrencies, but in reality, we do many other things, and we are developing a lot in new technologies, including a payment system like PayPal but using blockchain. We are also acquiring a company that develops AI (artificial intelligence) and other companies involved in biotech.

“AI and biotech will become increasingly important in the world of football, and Juventus have a tremendous fanbase worldwide: it’s one of the most recognised brands.”

“I don’t rule it out [to become Juventus’ sponsor], but right now, we don’t know the terms of a potential sponsorship agreement.

“For sure, we’re not doing all this for advertising: we closed last year with 13.7 billion in profits, we have the financial capacity to support the team for the next 2000 years.”

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 07: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on February 07, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Why did he post a video of a zebra chasing its prey on his X profile?

“It’s a comeback: going from being chased to chasing. Juventus have to return to where it deserves. That’s why I wrote ‘Make Juve Great Again’,” Arduino said.

“I was rather surprised by messages from young people saying it was the first time they saw a shareholder write and respond on X: but the world is like that, it’s moving so fast. And I hope they’re excited because they understand the potential.

“We want to create something new, thanks to the possibility of investing in an excellence, like Juve. And we have incredible projections, we’re the company with the highest profits per person, extremely efficient, thanks to the technological evolution we are using to replace outdated financial systems.”

Ardoino spoke highly of Thiago Motta, recalling a recent Juventus match he attended that he described as ‘the most beautiful game’ he’s ever seen.

“He gives me the impression of being an extremely capable person,” the CEO of Tether said of Thiago Motta.

“He could do better, like everyone, but he’s a coach with incredible abilities.

“I was at San Siro, against Inter: the most beautiful game I’ve ever seen. I was moved, it was a match that gave tension: and then, it’s more beautiful when you have to sweat for it.

“I’ll be predictable [on who is my favourite player], but I say Del Piero.”