Bari Takeover Talks Latest As Two North American Groups Linked
The south Italian club is going through a rough patch at present.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 19 December 2025
The Italian media has been discussing where the two overseas groups looking to invest in SSC Bari appear to be based.
Two North American groups reportedly keen on Bari investment with view to future takeover
Bari president Luigi De Laurentiis recently confirmed discussions with two overseas groups about new investment in the Serie B club.
On Thursday, De Laurentiis returned to the topic of the possibility of a partner joining who could eventually take over the entire club.
This would end to Bari’s current multi-ownership arrangement, with the Laurentiis family media company Filmauro S.r.l. also owning Napoli.
Italy’s football association has set a deadline of the 2028-29 season for all existing multi-club ownership situations within the Italian leagues to be resolved.
The two suitors are North American, according to Bari’s edition of La Repubblica. One is reportedly based in the United States, the other in Canada.
The United States is a country well known to the De Laurentiis family due to family ties and their work in the film industry.
Meanwhile, the Canadian group reportedly made initial contact months ago and already has business interests in Puglia.
De Laurentiis has stressed confidentiality, saying a non-disclosure agreement prevents him from providing further identification or details.
Speaking at the San Nicola, De Laurentiis said the parties are “studying” Bari both statistically and as a football environment.
The 46-year-old said “money is not enough”, insisting any buyer must bring know-how and credible football planning.
De Laurentiis also addressed January plans, promising the club will move “with the right attitude” in the market.
Valuation gap and a possible phased takeover
The objective for Bari is to have a minority partner on board by the end of this season, potentially leading to a complete handover later.
That structure would see the incoming investor ask the current ownership to continue managing operations during a transition period.
Tuttomercatoweb cited Il Sole 24 Ore journalist Marco Bellinazzo valuing Bari at about €60million using revenue multiples.
It added the De Laurentiis family value the club above €100million, arguing Bari is a “Serie A city” with bigger upside.
Promotion, with TV income cited in the €30-40million range, would potentially narrow the valuation gap.
Bari’s poor results and dwindling crowds have reignited the debate around ownership and direction.
I Galletti are one point above the danger zone with the weakest attack in Serie B (14 goals, the same as Spezia) and one of the worst defences (25).
In addition, Bari have already had two managers this season: Fabio Caserta and the incumbent Vincenzo Vivarini.
And off the field, Giuseppe Sibilli is banned until next season for participating in illegal betting on sporting events.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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