Billionaire family or US fund: who would run Santos if the SAF is sold? | OneFootball

Santos has received a non-binding offer to sell control of its SAF to a United States private fund backed by the Santo Domingo family. According to Globo.com, the proposal would hand operational control to the fund rather than family figureheads.

The link between the fund and the family has prompted debate. The Santo Domingos, owners of Grupo Valorem, which controls TV Caracol, with stakes in AB Imbev and 10% of the Washingon Commanders, have denied involvement in buying the club. The denial surprised some behind the scenes, though market players treated it as routine.

The offer is not in the name of any family member or their well-known companies. It comes via a US-created private vehicle capitalised by the family and run by finance executives. Names such as Andres or Alejandro would not front any deal or manage the club.

After months of due diligence that began in May 2025, Saint Dominic Capital proposed to invest around R$ 2 billion, split between a R$ 1 billion cash injection and the assumption of roughly another billion in debts. Santos would retain a minority shareholding.

The club can renegotiate terms, then, if satisfied, grant exclusivity to the Santo Domingo family and begin the process of changing its Statute. The current Statute blocks a majority sale, so a focused amendment could go to the Deliberative Council and then to members.

The draft terms include protections for identity, barring any change to the name, official anthem, primary colours or location. Representatives from Colombia are expected to visit in the coming months to inspect the club’s facilities.

Source: Globo.com