Today, Italian sources reported that the sale of AS Roma to DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC in Boston has been pushed up to Friday, April 15 from April 20. Italian media have descended on Boston to cover the event which is rocking Italy. With the sale, Roma will become the first Italian club under foreign ownership.
Changes in the stock market and events surrounding Roma’s Saturday match versus Palermo were cited as reasons for expedition of the transaction.
Thomas DiBenedetto has said that he will build a modern stadium for the club, bring in five-six new players, and expand the Roma brand globally. Global marketing includes touring, which opens the possibility of a summer U.S. tour and maybe featuring in Boston at the second annual Football at Fenway tournament.
Although the Roma purchase is not associated with NESV, DiBenedetto is chairman of the Boston Red Sox and partner to New England Sports Ventures (NESV), which recently purchased Liverpool. Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino recently cited Liverpool as a possible Football at Fenway competitor.
The debt-ridden Sensi family and the holding company Italpetroli will no longer play a role for Roma. Unicredit, which exchanged Italpetroli’s ownership of Roma for oil and gas subsidiary debt, will now own 40% of Roma and DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC will retain 60%. Under provisions, Unicredit will retain the option to sell off portions to strategic investors.
The investors' group DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC includes Thomas DiBenedetto, Michael Ruane, Richard D'Amore, and Boston Celtics owner James Pallotta.
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