In a statement released by the club, the group linked to the American owners of Los Angeles FC said they are open to discussing a sale, provided that the long-term financial and sporting sustainability of Grasshoppers is ensured.
“During recent protests, fans called for us to leave the club,” the ownership group stated, adding that they are “open to discussing a partial or full sale” of the club.
The unrest has intensified in recent weeks, with demonstrations during matches, and was further fueled by a recent semi-final exit from the Swiss Cup against Lausanne-Ouchy, a second division team.
The owners also emphasized that the club’s operating costs continue to exceed its revenues, arguing that Grasshoppers relies on external investment to remain in professional football.
Grasshoppers finished the first stage of the Swiss league in 11th place out of 12 teams and are now competing in the relegation round, which involves the bottom six sides.
They are the most successful club in Swiss football with 27 national championships, although they have not won the league since 2003 or the Swiss Cup since 2013. They have also made several appearances in the European Cup and the UEFA Cup.
In recent decades, the club have experienced a period of sporting and financial instability, with several changes in management and foreign investment coming in to try to restore competitiveness. In fact, Grasshoppers were relegated to the second tier of Swiss football in 2019, only to return to the top flight two years later.
The group linked to Los Angeles FC took a majority stake in 2024, bringing Grasshoppers into an international co-ownership model that has been gaining ground in European football.