Santos Awaits Binding Offer for SAF Sale

What is the Saint Dominique Group and why does it matter for Santos?

Saint Dominique is a private investment fund based in the United States whose capital comes from the fortune of the Colombian Santo Domingo family. One of its founders is Lauren Santo Domingo. The family also owns Grupo Valorem, which controls TV Caracol in Colombia, holds shares in AB InBev, and owns 10% of the NFL's Washington Commanders.

Where does the SAF sale process currently stand?

The due-diligence phase — launched in early March to verify that financial documents shared with the group were accurate — was completed a few weeks ago. Santos also ran a preliminary check on the fund to confirm it has the financial capacity for a large-scale investment. The club is now waiting for a binding offer before any deal can move forward.

What were the terms of the non-binding proposal?

Back in February, Saint Dominique submitted a non-binding proposal valuing the club at R$1 billion, plus full assumption of Santos's estimated R$1 billion debt, in exchange for 80% control of the SAF. That proposal unlocked the due-diligence process.

What steps still need to happen before a deal is done?

Even if a binding offer arrives and is accepted, Santos must first complete a statutory reform to allow majority share sales — a process not yet finished. After that, club members must vote at a General Assembly to ratify or reject the changes.

What protections are built into the proposed contract?

• No change to the club's name
• No change to the official anthem
• No change to the club's basic uniform colours
• No change to the club's location

Management would be handled by market professionals rather than high-profile figures. Representatives from Saint Dominique are expected to visit Brazil in the coming months to inspect Santos's facilities.