The Canadian Football League has bought the Montreal Alouettes from the Wetenhal family with the goal to sell the franchise to new owners, according to a report from Didier Ormejuste of RDS.

Ormejuste reported the league's goal is to sell the Alouettes to a new ownership group by the beginning of the new season.

It was reported earlier this week Montreal businessman Clifford Starke will formally announce his "intent to purchase" the club on Thursday.

Brad Smith, a former CFL receiver and son of former Alouettes president Larry Smith, is acting as a consultant with Starke's potential ownership group.