<p>With Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Bari, Serie B leaders Parma officially sealed their promotion to Serie A with two games to go.</p>



<p>After 36 league matches, the Crociati have 74 points, good enough for first place in Italy’s second level. Assuming nothing else changes this weekend, a victory against Cremonese would mathematically cement their <a href="https://twitter.com/ParmaCalcio_en/status/1785729086402216297" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">position as Serie B champions</a>.</p>



<p>After failing to make the promotion playoffs last season, Fabio Pecchia’s squad has been able to recover and return to form. On aggregate, they lost to Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari in the play-off semi-finals, 3-2.</p>



<p>This season, Parma has only suffered four league defeats, with a record of 21 victories and eleven draws. A single win in their last three games would have sent the Crocati back to the Italian first division. They have not played there since the 2020-21 season.</p>



<p>Having played two games less than their third-place rivals, Venezia, Parma now sits atop the league. With three points separating them from first place, second-place <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/08/29/henry-begins-new-chapter-as-shareholder-of-ambitious-como/">Como</a> will likely also play in the top division.</p>



<p>With 24 goals between them in all competitions this season, Parma’s wingers Dennis Man and Adrian Benedyczak have been unstoppable. One has 13 goals, whereas the other has 11. Two crucial matches remain this season; on Sunday, they will face Cremonese, and on Friday, they will play away at Reggiana.</p>



<h2>US owner aims to revive glorious past</h2>



<p>Only Salernitana, the team now ranked worst in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a>, has been officially demoted to Serie B. Meanwhile, Parma may be without an Italian league championship, but they have won the Italian Cup three times.</p>



<p>They took home the trophy in 1993 for Europe’s Cup Winners’ Cup and two UEFA Cups in 1995 and 1999. The club’s storied past was a factor in Kyle Krause, founder of the Krause Group, acquiring a 90% share in the team in September 2020.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240502_WST_504737_Parma-Promotion-1200x670_9ecca2ae.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-504756" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Parma-Promotion-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Parma-Promotion-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Parma-Promotion-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Parma-Promotion.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>In fact, the Gialloblu have a glittering past filled with championships and legendary players. Some notable players who donned the shirt include Gianluigi Buffon, Juan Sebastian Veron, Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram, Hernán Crespo, and Gianfranco Zola.</p>



<p>At 44 or 45 years old, Buffon was back in the lineup until last year. After the bankruptcy in 2015, a new project began to take form in 2020, and it served as a connection between the occasionally magnificent past and the project.</p>



<p>Despite being in the midst of his fifth decade, Buffon stayed there <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/buffon-declares-retirement-from-soccer-20230802-WST-447084.html">again from 2021 until last year</a>. He bridged the gap between the illustrious past and the new endeavor that has been in the works since 2020, after the 2015 bankruptcy.</p>



<h2>Why did Krause pick Parma?</h2>



<p>“It all started with a bit of investigation into Italian soccer and evolved into this fantastic opportunity. Some of the research was initiated because of work I was doing related to Pro Iowa. I was exploring clubs and ownership structures, trying to better understand opportunities and the process. But networking in Italy for Pro Iowa knowledge led to me developing more intentional interest in purchasing a club in Italy.</p>



<p>“When I discovered Parma Calcio was for sale, I knew it was the right choice. The club has an incredible brand and history and celebrated its 110-year anniversary in December. Parma Calcio is the fourth most successful Italian team in UEFA competitions having won four national trophies and four international trophies. In addition, Parma is a beautiful city with rich history, cuisine, culture, and soccer.</p>



<p>“What’s not to love?”, <a href="https://tippie.uiowa.edu/news/2024/05/beautiful-game-qa-kyle-krause" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">admitted Kyle Krause</a> in an interview on Wednesday.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PARMA COACHES AND PLAYERS CELEBRATE PROMOTION TO SERIE A<br><br>Founded in 1913, the club has gone bankrupt and returned from the dead a few times. Next season, the club is back where it belongs. Forza Parma 🟡🔵<a href="https://t.co/xaFNSPJBxY">pic.twitter.com/xaFNSPJBxY</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1785818352671203331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

US owner brings Parma back to Serie A after three-year hiatus

With Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Bari, Serie B leaders Parma officially sealed their promotion to Serie A with two games to go.


<p>The number of soccer <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/list-of-american-owned-soccer-clubs-in-europe-20230927-WST-458682.html">teams owned by Americans</a> has skyrocketed. Many American investors own teams throughout Europe, from the minor leagues to the top leagues. In recent weeks, rumors have circulated that 777 Partners, a private equity group based in the United States, is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/everton-close-to-sale-to-us-investment-group-20230912-WST-455552.html">actively pursuing a purchase of Everton</a>.</p>



<p>In fact, US owners’ influence over the Premier League is at an all-time high. Should the transaction be finalized, the United States will control 10 of the 20 Premier League clubs. Four of the league’s most successful clubs, including <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a>, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a>, are among those mentioned.</p>



<h5>Boehly spent more than $1.2bn since taking over Chelsea</h5>



<p>Buying a team in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> is becoming a popular option. It comes as a result of the English top league’s increasing wealth thanks to TV agreements.</p>



<p>This factor is something that Chelsea owner <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/todd-boehly-looking-to-raise-500m-to-help-chelsea-recover-20230805-WST-448128.html">Todd Boehly</a> seems to enjoy. The 50-year-old has not been shy about spending lavishly on new players since taking over for Roman Abramovich.</p>



<p>Boehly has splashed almost $1.2 billion on new additions since the summer of 2022, blessing his three managers so far – Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino – with their desired players.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, he has yet to see the team’s performance improve. Despite a poor start, they will be aiming for a better Premier League finish than the 12th-place finish from the previous season.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Chelsea spend £1 billion under Todd Boehly | Have they invested wisely?" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7jmtd1ISO_I?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>Forbes ranks wealthiest American owners</h2>



<p>While Todd Boehly is certainly one of the most generous American owners in Europe, it is interesting to note that he is not among the richest. As is customary every year, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2023/10/03/americas-richest-sports-team-owners-2023/?sh=74c8346d536b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forbes</a> compiled a list of the wealthiest sports franchise owners.</p>



<p>Italian newspaper <a href="https://www.calcioefinanza.it/2023/10/03/classifica-piu-ricchi-usa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Calcio e Finanza</a> has helped reduce the data down to soccer club owners. It includes Fiorentina president <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ny-cosmos-owner-rocco-commisso-profiled-on-60-minutes-20230320-WST-423824.html">Rocco Commisso</a> and former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule">AC Milan</a> owner Paul Singer, while Boehly is lower on the list.</p>



<p>With an estimated fortune of $8 billion, Italian-American Commisso ranks 114th in Forbes’s overall list of the wealthiest Americans. Singer ranks No. 147 on the list with $6.1 billion, surpassing spendthrift Chelsea patron Boehly, who comes in at 176th with $6 billion. </p>



<p>Prior to the summer, Paul Singer and his company, Elliott Management, controlled the Rossoneri. Eventually, they sold the club to RedBird and Gerry Cardinale.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</em></p>


Fiorentina owner wealthier than Chelsea's Boehly, Forbes reveal

The annual Forbes list of the wealthiest sports club owners has been compiled. It has also been set to include just soccer club owners.


<p>US billionaire Jahm Najafi is apparently ready to make a serious bid to buy <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a>. According to sources with <em><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c3795725-eb77-4681-848d-20c37c990386?shareType=nongift" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial Times</a></em>, the Iranian-American businessman is preparing a massive $3.75 billion offer to purchase the club from current owners Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy.</p>



<p>Najafi is currently chairman of MSP Sports Capital. The American investment group already has ownership stake in Bundesliga outfit Augsburg, Portuguese club Estoril, Spanish side AD Alcorcon and Belgian team SK Beveren.</p>



<h2>Middle East to help fund deal with US billionaire and Tottenham</h2>



<p>MSP’s potential offer would value the north London club’s equity at $3 billion. The remaining $750,000 would then be added to the team’s debt. According to the report, Najafi’s MSP would essentially front 70% of the purchase price. Middle Eastern investors would then take on the remaining 30%. <em><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2022/05/26/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2022-real-madrid-worth-51-billion-back-on-top/?sh=4c740e06286b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forbes</a></em> previously valued Spurs at $2.35 billion back in May 2022.</p>



<p>Lewis and Levy, through the group English National Investment Company, initially purchased a minority stake in Spurs in the late 1990s. However, they quickly acquired a controlling majority in the club in 2001 when they bought out Lord Alan Sugar. The extra 26% of team shares cost the duo around $31 million.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: The Financial Times have reported that Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi is preparing to make a £3.1bn bid to buy Tottenham Hotspur. <a href="https://t.co/GUXKAd5aNf">pic.twitter.com/GUXKAd5aNf</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1625805113926250496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>ENIC garnered praised for taking Spurs into the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ despite keeping spending relatively limited. Also, the group financed the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Construction finished in 2019. Nevertheless, Spurs have managed just one significant trophy since Lewis and Levy completed the takeover.</p>



<h5>MSP previously linked with Everton</h5>



<p>Najafi’s group was <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-25/msp-is-said-to-mull-investment-in-premier-league-team-everton-fc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently linked</a> with a deal for fellow <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> club Everton. Cameras <a href="https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/football/everton/everton-takeover-news-as-msp-sports-capital-preparing-375bn-bid-4028044">spotted the American</a> at a Toffees game against Southampton last month. However, it seems as if Najafi and MSP have potentially shifted their focus to Spurs. If completed, Najafi would become the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/bournemouth-becomes-10th-us-owned-premier-league-club-20221213-WST-412193.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">11th American owner</a> in the Premier League.</p>



<p>The investment group will have just received a fairly significant boost in funds. Najafi holds a minority stake in National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns. The team sold in December for $4 billion, but Najafi retained his stake in the Suns.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


US businessman and billionaire Jahm Najafi is reportedly set to make an offer to buy Tottenham Hotspur for almost $4 billion.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "US ownership"

News

US owner brings Parma back to Serie A after three-year hiatus

Chelsea

Fiorentina owner wealthier than Chelsea's Boehly, Forbes reveal

Leagues: EPL

US billionaire wants to buy Tottenham Hotspur for $3.75 billion