The Atalanta announced that the capital of the club has passed mainly into the hands of a group of investors headed by the American Stephen Pagliuca, co-owner of the team of the NBA Boston Celtics and co-chairman of the US fund Bain Capital.
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The Percassi family, current owners of the Italian soccer team, will retain 45% of the shareswhile Antonio Percassi and Luca Perecassi will maintain their functions as president and CEO, the ‘Dea’ reported in a statement.
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“The Percassi family will continue to be the main individual shareholder,” according to the note.
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Stephen Pagliuca, at the head of the group of investors that will acquire 55% of the club, will become co-chairman.
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This arrival is part of a movement of North American investment funds in Italian soccer, considered a lagging sector in terms of television rights and the exploitation of stadiums, according to experts.
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Nearly half of the twenty Serie A clubs now fly the American flag. In addition to Atalanta, there are Roma (Dan Friedkin), AC Milan (Elliott funds), Fiorentina (Rocco Commisso), Venezia (Duncan Niederauer), Spezia (Piatek family) and Genoa, bought this fall by the 777 fund. Partners, while Bologna belongs to Canadian businessman Joey Saputo.
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Atalanta has not disclosed the amount of the investment made by the group led by Stephen Pagliuca.
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But According to the Italian press, an operation is estimated at between 400 and 500 million euros (between 452 and 566 million dollars).
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Investors would be particularly attracted by the prospect of developing the stadium, as Atalanta is one of the few clubs to own its ground.
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“The group of new investors includes outstanding professionals with extensive experience in the football sector and sports in general,” says Atalanta, a club that has only won one Italian Cup (1963), but has grown in recent years. years, specializing in particular in the development of young talent, which has allowed him to compete in the Champions League in the last three seasons.
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“Atalanta and the Boston Celtics share the same sporting values: team spirit and a unique bond with their fans,” Pagliuca was quoted as saying in the statement. He also believes that “the Percassi family has built a solid foundation on which to work together” in particular to diversify sources of income. AFP
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