Atalanta is the soccer team that has dominated the Italian elite over the past few years, and investors led by the Boston Celtics co-owner have purchased it.
Stephen Pagliuca heads the group that bought 55% shares from the Percassi family business that owned 86% the Serie A club.
Atalanta stated that the Percassis through La Dea Srl would remain the largest shareholder. Antonio Percassi will continue to be president of the club, with his son Luca as CEO. Pagliuca will become co-chairman.
Atalanta finished third in all three seasons, and reached the quarterfinals in the lucrative Champions League for 2020.
Pagliuca stated that “Atalanta” and “the Boston Celtics” share the same sporting values, adding that they have “team spirit and a unique connection with their fans.
“We believe the Percassi family has created very solid foundations to allow for a global strengthening brand. With the goal of encouraging further diversification, revenue growth and the possibility of increasing the club’s competitiveness on an Italian as well as international scale, we believe the Percassi family has done a great job.”
Atalanta currently ranks fifth in Serie A.
