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The Americanization of Italian Football: A Financial Revolution across the entire Italian economy
US investments are having profound impact in Italian football. With 14 clubs’ ownership across the entire football in Italy, US private equity funds and hedge funds are reshaping the beloved sport.
The recent acquisition of Inter Milan by the American investment firm Oaktree Capital has not only sent shockwaves through Serie A but also serves as a clear reminder of a growing trend: the Americanization of Italian football. This takeover, caused by the Chinese ownership’s inability to service a $400 million debt (from a very unfavorable loan contracted in 2021 with a 10% coupon), is just a tipping point. Over the last ten years, American investors have acquired a total of 14 Italian clubs across Serie A, B, C, and D, fundamentally altering the sport financing in Italy for good. Among these we find AC Milan, A.C. Roma, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Parma, Venice, and La Spezia.
Distressed Football Assets: A Strategic Investment Opportunity
A key reason behind this American investment increase, is the financial distress within Italian football teams. Years of overspending, coupled with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of robust financial management in some cases, have left many clubs on the brink of default and…
