EXCLUSIVE: The five Italian entrepreneurs who could buy AC Milan
Mr. Vulpis is there any Italian entrepreneur with enough money to buy AC Milan?
“According to Forbes there are six Italians among the 400 richest people in the world. One of them is Berlusconi who’s also the 165° richest person worldwide. His net worth is estimated in $ 8 billion and not all the remaining five have a net worth in the region of $ 10 billion. It would mean asking them to lose the 8% of their capitals. There are not too many Italians who can do that.”
Gianluigi Aponte (MSC Crociere) and Giorgio Armani are the first two candidates: pros and cons
“Mr. Aponte is the 4th richest Italian (153° worldwide). He could be interested in investing money in football. He already did it sponsoring both Genoa and Napoli. He usually invests money in city with a harbour as he wants football fans to continue their passion inside his cruises. Giorgio Armani’s net worth is around $ 8.8 billion. He has already made investments in the world of sport sponsoring Italian basketball team EA7 Armani, Aponte might be more interested than him.”
Stefano Pessina, CEO of Walgreens might have enough money to invest too... “He’s among the 36 richest people in the world, he’s the first Italian with a net worth exceeding $ 10 billion thanks to the pharmaceutical company he leads. His name was also among those involved in the Panama paper scandal even if he’s not under investigation. He could be the right person in terms of money, but I don’t believe he’s willing to invest his capitals in football.”
What about Giovanni Ferrero?
“Second richest Italian, he has already invested in the world of sport, but he doesn’t seem attracted by this opportunity.”
Leonardo Del Vecchio (Luxottica) is the richest Italian entrepreneur. “With a net worth estimated in £ 23,7 billion, he would be the right man at the right time. He’s serious and with an International mentality. However, he’s not too young and looking at his previous investments I would exclude his involvement in negotiations. He’s always been an entrepreneur who thinks outside the box, he needs no publicity.”
Some of those candidates could potentially work, but all of them are not interested for many reasons. Do you expect any surprise?
“Guido Barilla is out of the list (906 richest people in the world). On the one hand his net worth is estimated in ‘only’ $ 1, 54 billion, on the other hand he’s young, he has already sponsored AS Roma in the 80s and the business of pasta could be well related with football. His presidency would bring fresh air inside the club, but he won’t be able to do it on his own. AC Milan would need the age and mentality of an entrepreneur like Barilla with the wallet of Del Vecchio.
Federico Albrizio @Albri_Fede90, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
