Di Benedetto Delivering for Roma

Sound plans: Thomas Di Benedetto

When Roma's American owners took over in the summer, many were sceptical of their enthusiasm's stamina.  Thomas Di Benedetto, the senescent cherub from the United States who is now the club's president, arrived with plans of making Roma a global brand.  Given the horrific mismanagement of the Sensi family, which had left the club lumbered with debt, Di Benedetto had his work cut out for him.  There was also, of course, the debilitating Italian bureaucracy with which to contend.

Almost a year on, however, Di Benedetto is doing all the right things despite the obstacles.  I have written in the past about Di Benedetto's effort to work with the city council, and recently there has been some progress.

As reported on their official website, Roma recently commissioned the consulting company Cushman & Wakefield to pick a suitable place to build a stadium for the club.  Il Tempo reported that the selected area is Tor Di Valle with 2016 set as the year in which to unveil the new stadium. In the meantime, Corriere Dello Sport reported on Wednesday that Roma have reached an agreement with CONI, which will see them stay at the Stadio Olimpico until 2015, with enhancements to the corporate hospitality areas.

All of these developments come in addition to Roma's recent deal with Disney, which is expected to boost revenues through merchandising.  Roma already saw a 20 million euros boost in revenue last year notwithstanding the fact that they didn't even play in the Champions League.  The future looks promising for the club.

In October, Di Benedetto had said that people "did not understand" where he was taking the club.  Given how things are evolving, one has to praise his ambition.  Despite Legge Crimi being stuck, Di Benedetto has decided to move forward in earnest.