Montpellier HSC Finalizes Sale of Women’s Section to Crux Football.

Roger Hampel

Image: Montpellier HSC 

Montpellier HSC has sold its women’s football section to Crux Football, which now owns 100% of Montpellier HSC Féminines. The transaction transfers control of one of France’s longest-established women’s football clubs to a dedicated investment group specializing in the women’s game.

Club Background

The Montpellier women’s team was established in 2001 and has been a consistent presence in the top tier of French football. The team won two league titles (2004, 2005), three Coupe de France trophies (2006, 2007, 2009), and reached the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals in 2006. Montpellier has also developed players who went on to the French national team, including Sakina Karchaoui, Sandie Toletti, and Maëlle Lakrar.

Transaction Details Montpellier Crux

According to the announcement, Crux Football assumes responsibility for all aspects of the women’s team: sporting operations, financial management, commercial development, and supporter engagement. The women’s side will now operate as a separate entity from the Montpellier men’s club.

Outgoing president Laurent Nicollin confirmed the decision ends 25 years of direct involvement in women’s football for the Nicollin family. He described the deal as a handover to new investors better positioned to manage future growth.

Crux Football Profile

Crux Football was founded by Bex Smith, a former New Zealand international and FIFA executive. The company operates a multi-club ownership model focused exclusively on women’s football. Its strategy centers on pooling infrastructure and resources to speed up both sporting and commercial growth.

The group’s investor base includes executives and entrepreneurs from sport, media, and data analytics.

Notable names are:

• Cindy Holland (Paramount, ex-Netflix) and Annie Imhoff – early investors in Angel City FC.

• Julie Foudy – former USWNT captain and ESPN analyst.

• Ted Knutson – CEO of StatsBomb.

• Lori Cashman – Victress Capital.

• Misha Sher – EssenceMediacom.

  
  

Future Direction

Paul Bouffard has been appointed president of Montpellier HSC Féminines. He stated the focus will be on strengthening local identity, improving commercial sustainability, and aligning with international standards of professional women’s football.

Head coach Yannick Chandioux and captain Sonia Ouchene both noted that the change brings additional financial resources and infrastructure, but stressed the importance of maintaining competitiveness in Division 1 Féminine.