Sawt Falasteen - Berlusconi family sell Monza football club to US investment fund

"Fininvest (the Berlusconi family's holding company) and Beckett Layne Ventures (BLV) announce that they have signed an agreement today for the sale of 100 percent of AC Monza's share capital to BLV," a joint statement read.

"The transaction provides for an initial transfer of 80 percent of the shares by this summer, with the remaining 20 percent to be transferred by June 2026."

The cost of the transaction was not specified, but according to Italian media, Beckett Layne Ventures will pay 45 million euros ($52 million), including 15 million euros to cover the Lombardy club's debt.

Flamboyant former Italian premier and businessman Silvio Berlusconi, who died in June 2023, took control of Monza in September 2018. Berlusconi had previously owned AC Milan from 1986 to 2017, using his immense wealth to turn the debt-ridden club into a European powerhouse.

Under his leadership, Monza played its first season in Serie A in 2022-23.

The club remained in the top flight for three seasons before being relegated in May after a disastrous campaign that ended with 18 points, 26 defeats, and only three wins.

Beckett Layne Ventures are an investment fund specialising in sports and entertainment led by Brandon Berger, formerly in charge of marketing operations for English club Chelsea.

The acquisition is a further illustration of the interest American investors have in Italian football. Eight of the 20 clubs that competed in the 2024-25 Serie A season -- Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Verona, Venezia, Parma and Roma -- have American owners.

W.AbuLaban--SF-PST