U.S. group closes Roma deal

Updated: August 18, 2011, 10:15 AM ET

Associated Press

ROME -- A group of American investors led by Boston executive Thomas DiBenedetto closed a deal Thursday to take over the Roma soccer team, becoming the first foreign majority owners of a Serie A club.

The four-man American group wrapped up the deal four months after a preliminary agreement was signed in April. It had Benedetto's group paying about $100 million for a 60 percent share of a new company that owns roughly two-thirds of Roma. The Unicredit bank retains 40 percent of the club.

Last year, Unicredit became co-owner of Roma following a debt-for-equity swap with the Sensi family.

DiBenedetto arrived in Rome on Thursday to meet with Unicredit officials. However, he'll still have to wait until Roma's next board meeting to officially become the club president.

DiBenedetto is one of approximately 13 limited partners in the Boston Red Sox ownership group. The other members of the group that agreed to buy Roma are James Pallotta, a minority owner of the Boston Celtics, Michael Ruane and Richard D'Amore.

DiBenedetto was expected to travel to Slovakia for Roma's season opener against Slovak Bratislava in a Europa League playoff.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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