BERNE, Switzerland – The Swiss retail holding company Valora sold its 70 per cent shareholding in SC Bern to a group of local investors. The company, which is well-known in the country for its kiosks, announced the sale on Tuesday.

Valora became the majority owner of the then-indebted club in 1999. They helped to achieve the financial turnaround and were also sponsors of the National League A team. SC Bern has become one of the most profitable clubs in Europe with an average attendance of nearly 16,000 fans. The successful recovery of SC Bern became the reason why the Valora Holding Inc. decided to sell the club.

No details were announced about the price of the sale and about the new owners except that the regional businessmen Hans Dietrich and Rudolf Schnorf, who were close with the club, belong to the new group of investors. It was also announced that the management will remain the same.

SC Bern dominated the Swiss National League A in the regular season 2007-2008 but surprisingly failed in the quarterfinals, where they lost to rival Fribourg-Gottéron. As the regular season winner, SC Bern will participate in the Champions Hockey League qualifier tournament, September 12-14, 2008. The venue is to be determined.