Who Owns AS Roma?
AS Roma is owned by The Friedkin Group, a privately held American conglomerate led by Dan Friedkin. The Friedkin Group acquired AS Roma S.p.A. in August 2020 from James Pallotta for approximately 591 million euros. The club is headquartered in Rome, Lazio, Italy, and competes in Serie A, Italy's top football division.
AS Roma Timeline
Who Owns AS Roma?
- Parent Company: The Friedkin Group
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2020
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| AS Roma | The Friedkin Group | Wholly owned |
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AS Roma on AmazonHistory of AS Roma
- Founded: 1927
- Founders: Italo Foschi
- Acquired by The Friedkin Group: 2020
AS Roma was founded on July 22, 1927, when Italian football official Italo Foschi organized the merger of three Rome-based clubs: Roman FC, SS Alba-Audace, and Fortitudo-Pro Roma SGS. The merger was encouraged by the Italian Football Federation and the Fascist regime, which wanted a single powerful club representing the capital rather than several smaller competitors. The new club adopted the red and yellow colors of the city of Rome, colors the club still wears today.
In the 1930s and 1940s, Roma established itself as a Serie A fixture, winning its first Scudetto in 1942. The postwar years brought inconsistency. The club alternated between title contention and mid-table finishes throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with a second-division relegation in 1951 marking a low point before a swift return to the top flight.
The 1980s were Roma's greatest era. Under Swedish coach Nils Liedholm, the club won Serie A in 1983, its second title, ending a 41-year wait. The 1983-84 season took Roma to the UEFA European Cup final against Liverpool at their own Stadio Olimpico. Roma lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw, one of the most painful defeats in club history. The squad of that era included iconic figures such as Bruno Conti, Roberto Pruzzo, and the Brazilian midfielder Falcao.
The 1990s brought a third consecutive near-miss in the league but also Coppa Italia triumphs. Roma moved through several ownership structures during this period, with the Sensi family holding control from 1993. Roma won its third Serie A title in 2001 under Carlo Mazzone's successor Fabio Capello, with Francesco Totti, arguably the club's greatest ever player, at the center of everything.
James Pallotta, an American hedge fund manager and partner at Raptor Capital Management, bought a majority stake in 2011. His tenure was defined by ambitious talk and limited delivery, particularly around a proposed new stadium project that repeatedly stalled. On-field, Roma was consistently a top-four Serie A club and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2018, eliminating Barcelona 3-0 in a second leg at the Olimpico after losing the first leg 4-1.
The Friedkin Group took control in August 2020. Under their ownership, the club appointed Jose Mourinho as manager in 2021. Mourinho delivered Roma's first European trophy in 61 years by winning the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022, defeating Feyenoord 1-0 in the final in Tirana, Albania. He was dismissed in January 2024 and replaced by Daniele De Rossi, a Roma legend. De Rossi was himself fired in September 2024 after a poor start to the 2024-25 season, replaced by Ivan Juric and subsequently Claudio Ranieri. Ranieri stabilized the club and was confirmed as manager for the 2025-26 season before announcing his retirement from management at season's end.
About The Friedkin Group
Who owns The Friedkin Group?
The Friedkin Group is owned entirely by the Friedkin family. Dan Friedkin, the son of founder Thomas H. Friedkin, serves as Chairman and CEO. The company is privately held and does not have public shareholders. Dan Friedkin makes all major strategic decisions for the group, including the acquisitions of AS Roma in 2020 and Everton in 2024.
What is Gulf States Toyota?
Gulf States Toyota is the world's largest independent Toyota distributor, distributing Toyota vehicles and parts to approximately 150 dealerships across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The company has been a Toyota distributor since 1969 and generates more than $11 billion in annual revenue. Gulf States Toyota is the only independent Toyota distributor in the United States, as Toyota's other US distributors are company-owned.
Does The Friedkin Group own football clubs?
Yes. The Friedkin Group owns AS Roma (Italian Serie A), acquired in August 2020 for approximately 591 million euros, and Everton Football Club (English Premier League), acquired in December 2024 at 99.5% ownership. The group is also reportedly exploring the acquisition of AS Cannes, a French football club, as of March 2025.
When did Friedkin acquire Everton?
Dan Friedkin completed the acquisition of Everton Football Club on December 19, 2024, becoming majority owner at 99.5%. The acquisition was valued at approximately 500 million to 600 million pounds, including debt assumption and commitments to the club's new stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock. The acquisition was made through Roundhouse Capital, a Friedkin Group holding company.
What is Auberge Resorts Collection?
Auberge Resorts Collection is a luxury hospitality management company owned by The Friedkin Group. Auberge operates resorts and residences in premium destinations including Napa Valley, Aspen, Cabo San Lucas, and Costa Rica. The brand competes with other luxury resort brands including Aman, Four Seasons, and Rosewood. Auberge's revenue is not publicly disclosed but is estimated at several hundred million dollars annually.
What entertainment companies does The Friedkin Group own?
The Friedkin Group owns 30West, a film production and financing company based in Los Angeles, and Imperative Entertainment, a film and television production company based in Santa Monica. Imperative Entertainment has produced films including "The Square" (2017), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and the television series "Yellowstone" (Paramount Network) and "Masters of the Air" (Apple TV+, 2024).
Is The Friedkin Group publicly traded?
No, The Friedkin Group is a privately held company owned entirely by the Friedkin family. The company does not file public financial reports. Revenue estimates are based on industry reports and the known scale of Gulf States Toyota's operations. Dan Friedkin serves as Chairman and CEO.
- Founded: 1969
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: More than $11 billion (2024)
- Employees: Approximately 10,000
Where Is AS Roma Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Rome, Lazio, Italy
AS Roma Categories & Tags
AS Roma Recalls & Controversies
Ownership Negotiations and Reduced Sale Price (2020): The sale from James Pallotta to The Friedkin Group was originally agreed at approximately 872 million euros before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global asset valuations. The final price of 591 million euros represented a reduction of roughly 280 million euros. Pallotta publicly criticized the terms of the renegotiation. The deal closed in August 2020 with no unresolved legal claims.
Pietralata Stadium Community Opposition: AS Roma's proposed new stadium in the Pietralata neighborhood has faced opposition from local residents and environmental groups. Concerns center on construction noise, traffic, green space reduction, and displacement of community facilities. The project received municipal approval under Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, but opponents pursued legal challenges that delayed construction timelines as of June 2026.
Multi-Club Ownership Scrutiny: The Friedkin Group's acquisition of Everton in 2024 placed AS Roma and Everton under common ownership, triggering UEFA review under its multi-club ownership regulations. UEFA rules prohibit two clubs under common ownership from competing in the same UEFA competition. As of June 2026, the clubs were in separate European competitions, with Roma in the UEFA Europa League and Everton not in European competition, so no active conflict of interest had been formally identified.
Managerial Instability (2024-25): The dismissal of Daniele De Rossi in September 2024, just months after his appointment, drew significant criticism. De Rossi was a Roma icon as a player and had stabilized the club after the Mourinho era. His firing after six Serie A matches was described by Italian sports media as hasty and damaging to club morale. The club went through Ivan Juric before settling on Claudio Ranieri.
UEFA Financial Sustainability Regulations: AS Roma has faced UEFA scrutiny under its Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations. The club's consistent operating losses and high wage-to-revenue ratios required compliance adjustments to UEFA's break-even assessment. UEFA confirmed the club met required thresholds for 2024-25 European competition entry, with ongoing monitoring.
AS Roma Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Financial backing from a privately held conglomerate with multi-billion dollar revenues
- +No public market pressure, allowing long-term planning without quarterly earnings scrutiny
- +Commitment to new stadium development, which will increase annual revenue by an estimated 30 to 50 million euros
- +Access to multi-club infrastructure through Pursuit Sports for scouting and player loans
- +Track record of funding high-profile transfers and managerial appointments
Considerations
- -Consistent operating losses of 76 to 99 million euros annually raise questions about the path to financial sustainability
- -Multi-club ownership with Everton creates ongoing regulatory monitoring risk under UEFA rules
- -High managerial turnover since 2020 has disrupted squad cohesion and tactical continuity
- -Failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in four of the last six seasons limits revenue growth
- -Pietralata stadium legal challenges may delay the primary commercial growth strategy
Frequently Asked Questions About AS Roma
Sources & Further Reading
- AS Roma Official Website -
- The Friedkin Group Official Website -
- Serie A Official Website -
- UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations -
- Forbes Football Club Valuations 2024 -
- Wikidata: AS Roma entity -
- Italian Football Federation (FIGC) -
- Deloitte Football Money League 2024 -
- Transfermarkt: AS Roma club profile -
- European Club Association -
Competitors to AS Roma
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| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redbird Capital Partners | Italy | 1899 | Premium | Global | All-ages | |
| Suning Holdings Group | Italy | 1908 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Foley Sports Holdings | England | 1899 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| V Sports | United Kingdom | 1874 | Mass market | Global | All-ages | |
| Miguel Angel Gil Marin | Spain | 1903 | Mass market | Europe | All-ages | |
| Fc Barcelona Company | Spain | 1899 | Premium | Global | Unisex |
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Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: AS Roma competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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