Who Owns AS Roma?

• Parent Company: The Friedkin Group
• Ownership Type: Wholly owned
• Acquisition Year: 2020
• Company Type: Privately Held

• Founded: 1927
• Founders: Italo Foschi
• Acquired by The Friedkin Group: 2020

• Founded: 1969
• Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
• Company Type: Privately Held
• Revenue: $11.4 billion+ (2024)
• Employees: ~10,000

Visit The Friedkin Group website

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Manufacturing / Operations: Italy, Global operations

AS Roma operates under The Friedkin Group's comprehensive sustainability framework, with particular emphasis on UEFA's Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, where AS Roma serves as a pilot club helping define the future of sustainability initiatives throughout European football. The club's sustainability efforts focus on environmental responsibility, community engagement, youth development, and ethical business practices within the football industry.

UEFA Sustainability Strategy Leadership: AS Roma has been selected as a pilot club for UEFA's Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, positioning the club at the forefront of sustainable football development in Europe. This partnership involves collaborating with UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) to develop and implement major sustainability initiatives that will shape the future of European football. AS Roma's role as a pilot club includes testing new sustainability frameworks, sharing best practices, and helping establish industry standards for environmental and social responsibility in football.

Environmental Initiatives and Stadium Development: AS Roma is developing a new stadium in Pietralata with construction expected to start between 2025-2026 and conclude by 2028, incorporating sustainable design principles and environmental considerations. The new stadium project represents a significant opportunity to implement cutting-edge environmental technologies, renewable energy systems, and sustainable building practices. The club's environmental initiatives include carbon reduction programs, waste management systems, and energy efficiency measures that align with UEFA's sustainability goals and broader environmental responsibility standards.

Community Engagement and Social Impact: AS Roma maintains extensive community engagement programs that focus on youth development, education, and social inclusion in Rome and surrounding areas. The club's community initiatives include football development programs for underprivileged youth, educational partnerships with local schools, and social inclusion projects that promote diversity and equal opportunity. AS Roma's community engagement reflects the club's commitment to being a positive force in Roman society while leveraging football's power to drive social change and community development.

Youth Development and Academy Excellence: AS Roma's youth academy represents a key component of the club's sustainability strategy, focusing on developing young talent while providing educational and personal development opportunities. The academy's programs combine football training with educational support, helping young players develop both athletic and academic skills. AS Roma's commitment to youth development extends beyond football training to include life skills education, mentorship programs, and pathways to professional careers both within and outside football.

Fan Inclusion and Accessibility: AS Roma prioritizes fan inclusion and accessibility initiatives that ensure diverse fan groups can participate fully in club activities. The club's inclusion programs include accessible stadium facilities, diverse fan engagement platforms, and initiatives that promote gender equality and cultural diversity among supporters. AS Roma's approach to fan inclusion reflects the club's recognition of football's power to unite people across different backgrounds while creating welcoming environments for all fans.

Ethical Business Practices and Governance: AS Roma operates under strict ethical business practices and governance standards that reflect The Friedkin Group's commitment to responsible business operations. The club's ethical framework includes transparent financial management, fair employment practices, and compliance with football industry regulations. AS Roma's governance structure emphasizes accountability, integrity, and responsible decision-making that balances commercial success with social and environmental responsibility.

Carbon Reduction and Environmental Goals: AS Roma has established comprehensive carbon reduction goals and environmental targets that align with UEFA's sustainability strategy and broader climate action initiatives. The club's environmental programs include renewable energy adoption, sustainable transportation initiatives, and waste reduction programs. AS Roma's carbon reduction efforts extend to stadium operations, travel policies, and supply chain management, demonstrating the club's commitment to environmental leadership in football.

Multi-Club Sustainability Coordination: Through Pursuit Sports, The Friedkin Group's dedicated multi-club management vehicle launched in July 2025, AS Roma coordinates sustainability initiatives with other football properties including Everton. This coordinated approach allows for sharing best practices, implementing consistent sustainability standards, and leveraging collective resources to achieve greater environmental and social impact across multiple clubs while maintaining individual club identities and community relationships.

AS Roma has received significant recognition throughout its nearly 100-year history for sporting achievements, community contributions, and sustainability leadership, establishing itself as one of Italy's most decorated and respected football clubs with global recognition.

UEFA Europa Conference League Victory (2022): AS Roma achieved its most recent major European success by winning the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022, defeating Feyenoord in the final under manager José Mourinho. This victory marked Roma's first European trophy since 1961 and represented a significant achievement in the club's European competition history. The Conference League win demonstrated Roma's continued competitiveness in European football and provided the club with its first major trophy under Friedkin ownership.

Serie A Championship and Domestic Success: AS Roma has won the Italian Serie A title three times in its history (1942, 1983, and 2001), with the 1983 championship under manager Nils Liedholm being particularly significant as it ended a 41-year title drought. The club has also won the Coppa Italia nine times and the Supercoppa Italiana twice, establishing a strong domestic trophy cabinet that reflects consistent competitive performance in Italian football.

UEFA Sustainability Leadership Recognition: AS Roma's selection as a pilot club for UEFA's Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 represents major recognition for the club's sustainability leadership and environmental initiatives. This acknowledgment from UEFA positions AS Roma at the forefront of sustainable football development in Europe and recognizes the club's innovative approach to integrating environmental and social responsibility into football operations.

Community Engagement and Social Responsibility Awards: AS Roma has received recognition for its community engagement programs and social responsibility initiatives in Rome and throughout Italy. The club's youth development programs, educational partnerships, and social inclusion projects have been acknowledged by football organizations and community groups for their positive impact on local communities and contribution to social development through football.

Fan Engagement and Global Recognition: AS Roma maintains one of the largest global fan bases in Italian football with over 90 million supporters worldwide, reflecting the club's significant international appeal and cultural impact. The club's global recognition has been acknowledged by international football organizations and media outlets for its ability to maintain strong fan engagement across different cultures and geographic regions.

Managerial and Player Individual Awards: AS Roma players and managers have received numerous individual awards and recognitions, including Golden Boot winners, Serie A Player of the Year awards, and Manager of the Year honors. These individual achievements reflect the club's ability to attract and develop top talent while maintaining high competitive standards in Italian and European football.

Historical Achievement Recognition: AS Roma's historical achievements, including reaching the UEFA Champions League final in 1984 and maintaining consistent presence in European competitions, have been recognized by football historians and organizations as significant contributions to Italian and European football history. The club's nearly 100-year history represents important cultural and sporting heritage in Italian football.

Business and Commercial Recognition: Under Friedkin ownership, AS Roma has received recognition for business innovation, commercial development, and strategic planning in football management. The club's approach to multi-club coordination through Pursuit Sports and stadium development initiatives has been acknowledged by business publications and football industry organizations for demonstrating modern football management practices.

These awards and recognitions highlight AS Roma's significant achievements across sporting competition, sustainability leadership, community engagement, and business innovation, establishing the club as a comprehensive leader in modern football with both historical significance and forward-looking vision.

AS Roma has maintained a strong reputation throughout its history, though as a major football club, it has faced challenges related to ownership transitions, competitive pressures, and the broader controversies affecting Italian and European football.

Ownership Transition Challenges: AS Roma experienced significant ownership transition challenges during the shift from James Pallotta's ownership to Dan Friedkin's acquisition in 2020. The complex negotiations, which initially stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, created uncertainty about the club's future direction and financial stability. The final acquisition price of $591 million represented a significant reduction from the initially discussed $872 million, reflecting the challenges of completing major football club transactions during global economic uncertainty.

Competitive Performance and Managerial Changes: AS Roma has faced scrutiny regarding competitive performance consistency, particularly in Serie A title challenges and European competition qualification. The club's frequent managerial changes, including the departure of Paulo Fonseca and subsequent appointment of José Mourinho, have drawn criticism from fans and media regarding strategic stability and long-term planning. These challenges reflect the broader pressures faced by major Italian clubs to maintain consistent competitive success while managing fan expectations.

Stadium Development and Local Community Concerns: AS Roma's plans for a new stadium in Pietralata have faced local community concerns regarding construction impact, environmental considerations, and community displacement. The stadium project, while representing significant infrastructure investment, has encountered opposition from local residents and environmental groups regarding urban development and community impact. These controversies reflect the broader challenges faced by football clubs in balancing development needs with community interests.

Multi-Club Ownership and Conflict of Interest Concerns: The Friedkin Group's acquisition of Premier League club Everton in 2024 and subsequent launch of Pursuit Sports for multi-club management have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and competitive fairness. While club owners maintain that Roma's operations will not be affected, the multi-club ownership structure has drawn scrutiny from football governing bodies and fans regarding potential advantages in player recruitment, commercial partnerships, and strategic coordination between clubs.

Italian Football Controversies and Governance Issues: AS Roma operates within Italian football's broader governance controversies, including issues related to refereeing decisions, league management, and financial fair play regulations. The club has occasionally been involved in discussions about refereeing standards and league governance, reflecting the broader challenges facing Italian football regarding transparency, consistency, and competitive integrity.

Fan Culture and Hooliganism Challenges: Like many major Italian football clubs, AS Roma has faced challenges related to fan behavior, hooliganism, and stadium safety incidents. The club has worked with authorities and fan organizations to address these issues while maintaining passionate fan engagement. These challenges reflect broader concerns in Italian football regarding fan culture, safety, and the balance between passionate support and responsible behavior.

Financial Management and Commercial Pressures: AS Roma has faced scrutiny regarding financial management, particularly in relation to player transfer spending, wage structures, and commercial revenue generation. The club operates within the constraints of Financial Fair Play regulations while competing with wealthier clubs for player talent, creating ongoing challenges in balancing competitive ambitions with financial sustainability.

Social Media and Digital Engagement Controversies: As a major football club with global reach, AS Roma has occasionally faced controversies related to social media management, digital content, and online fan engagement. These issues have included debates about appropriate content, player communication policies, and the balance between authentic engagement and commercial messaging in digital platforms.

Environmental and Sustainability Implementation Challenges: While AS Roma has been recognized for sustainability leadership, the club faces practical challenges in implementing comprehensive environmental initiatives, particularly regarding stadium operations, travel emissions, and supply chain sustainability. These implementation challenges reflect the broader difficulties football clubs face in translating sustainability commitments into measurable environmental impact.

These challenges highlight the complex environment in which AS Roma operates as a major football club balancing historical tradition with modern business practices, competitive ambitions with financial realities, and local community engagement with global commercial operations. The club's ability to navigate these challenges while maintaining its cultural significance and competitive standing will be crucial for continued success in the evolving football landscape.