- Click here for the complete
DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC Enters into Exclusive Negotiation Period to Purchase Roman Club
By Steve AmoiaContributing Writer
I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Julian Movsesian last week here at Italian Soccer Serie A and also at my site, World Football Commentaries. Today, 15 February 2011, the DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC group entered into an exclusive 30-day period to finalize the purchase of A.S. Roma.
Official Announcement of Exclusive 30-Day Negotiation Period
«Compagnia Italpetroli comunica che, nell'ambito del processo di dismissione del pacchetto azionario di controllo in A.S. Roma, si è deciso di procedere ad una fase di negoziazione esclusiva con la società statunitense DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC che, come comunicato in precedenza, ha formulato l'offerta più competitiva tra quelle pervenute. In tale contesto, in data odierna il consiglio di amministrazione di Roma 2000 S.r.l. - società interamente controllata da Compagnia Italpetroli che detiene la partecipazione di controllo in A.S. Roma - ha deliberato, anche sulla base delle informazioni ricevute dall'advisor Rothschild, di concedere a tale potenziale acquirente un'esclusiva negoziale per un periodo di 30 giorni».
"The Italpetroli Company announces that in the process of exchange in control of A.S. Roma, it was decided to proceed in an exclusive negotiation phase with the American group, DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC that, as previously was communicated, made the most competitive offer from all those received.Source: Il Corriere dello Sport, 15 February 2011.
In such a context, on today's date, the administrative adviser of Roma 2000 S.R.L., the group wholly controlled by Italpetroli that holds the control of A.S. Roma, had deliberated, also on the basis of the information received from the Rothschild advisers, to allow such a potential acquiring party an exclusive negotiation for a period of 30 days."
American Ownership Interest in Serie A is Rare
This successful initiative represents a rare attempt, and the first successful one, at American ownership at the highest level of Italian football. In 2008, John J. Fisher expressed an interest to buy A.S. Roma. Last year, Tim Barton of JMJ Holdings was unsuccessful in his bid to purchase AS Bari. John Elkann, Chairman of FIAT and a majority shareholder at Juventus, was born and raised in New York City. His grandfather was Gianni Agnelli. The DiBenedetto Group represents the first American ownership of an Italian Serie A club.
Response of Thomas DiBenedetto
«Continueremo a lavorare per concludere con successo le negoziazioni il più presto possibile».
"We will continue to work to successfully conclude the negotiations as quickly as possible."«I miei partner in questa iniziativa rappresentano il più alto livello di professionalità ed entusiasmo e siamo rappresentati da investitori con grande esperienza sia nel mondo dello sport che della finanza».
"My partners in this initiative represent the highest level of professionalism and enthusiasm and we are represented by investors with great experience in the world of sport and finance."«Siamo onorati che la nostra offerta sia stata scelta come la migliore».
«Quanto prima intendiamo avviare in nostro progetto di crescita che mira a valorizzare la società e la squadra non perdendo di vista il fatto che agiremo come custodi di questa grande squadra nel nome dei cittadini di Roma e di tutti i tifosi della As Roma».
"We are honored that our offer was selected as the best one."
"We intend at first to begin our project of growth that looks to evaluate the organization and the team. Not losing sight of the fact that we will act as custodians of this great team in the name of the citizens of Rome and all of the fans of AS Roma."Source: Tuttosport, 15 February 2011. (Please note that whether Mr. DiBenedetto spoke in English or Italian was not specified by Tuttosport.)
New Partner, James Pallotta of the Boston Celtics
Mr. Pallotta was named yesterday to join Thomas DiBenedetto, Julian Movsesian, Michael Ruane and Richard D'Amore as principal partners of A.S. Roma. ForzaRoma.info has a detailed article about the new owners; however, here is a quote by Corriere dello Sport about Mr. Pallotta.
"Dopo il baseball dei Red Sox, il basket dei Celtics. Per chi è pratico di sport professionistico, il top. Perché se prima erano in cinque, dopo la possibile defezione di Arthur Falcone, sono rimasti in cinque. I soci americani che sono a un passo dall’acquisto della Roma. Il nome che fin qui era rimasto sconosciuto è quello di James J. Pallotta, 53 anni, socio della Boston Basketball Partners LLC che nel 2002 ha acquistato per circa settecento milioni di dollari la mitica squadra di pallacanestro di Boston, i Celtics, un marchio conosciuto in tutto il mondo".
"After the Red Sox baseball team, the Celtics basketball team. For those familiar with professional sport, the top level. Because if before there were five partners, after the possible defection of Arthur Falcone, five have remained. The American partners are a step away from the acquisition of AS Roma. The name that up until yesterday was unknown was that of James J. Pallotta, 53, partner of the Boston Basketball Partners LLC who in 2002 acquired the iconic Boston basketball team for US $700 million, a trademark known all over the world."Source: Il Corriere dello Sport, 14 February 2011.
Congratulations to Mr. DiBenedetto and his partners on their historic achievement. All roads lead to Rome.
Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He is the founder of World Football Commentaries. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Italian Soccer Serie A, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.
Buy AS Roma Gear, AS Roma Soccer Jersey, AS Roma Gift Ideas for Roma fans
ShareThis
blog comments powered by Disqus
Posted by Anna Italia at 2/15/2011 4:16 PM 
Categories: Italian Serie A Transfer Market, General Soccer News, AS Roma
Tags: DiBenedetto AS Roma Italy Serie A Julian Movsesian Julian Movsesian AS Roma
Categories: Italian Serie A Transfer Market, General Soccer News, AS Roma
Tags: DiBenedetto AS Roma Italy Serie A Julian Movsesian Julian Movsesian AS Roma
Comments