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DiBenedetto finalizes AS Roma deal

Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff April 15, 2011 09:34 PM

Red Sox minority investor Thomas DiBenedetto announced Friday he has finalized a deal to control AS Roma, becoming the first foreigner to own a Serie A club.

DiBenedetto's group, which includes Celtics' owner James Pallotta, concluded the transaction at the Bingham McCutchen law offices on Federal Street.

The transaction means DiBenedetto will purchase 60 percent and UniCredit bank will have 40 percent of a 67 percent stake in AS Roma, pending regulatory approval. DiBenedetto said he is also seeking local investors.

"Good things don't come easy," DiBenedetto said at a news conference. "There were complicated points in the contract but I never felt that I would give up on the quest for this team."

DiBenedetto has expressed interest in England national team general manager Franco Baldini and former Roma midfielder Walter Sabatini as possible directors of the club. Vincenzo Montella will likely remain as coach for the remainder of the season. Roma, which hosts Palermo today, is in sixth place with 53 points in 33 matches.

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