Rizzetta maintains Napoli interest despite valuation gap

Underdog Global Partners founder Matt Rizzetta has reaffirmed his interest in acquiring Napoli, outlining a €1bn–€1.3bn offer backed by his group and other US investors.The Italian-American businessman wants the football club to anchor a multisport organisation in Naples, but owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has publicly denied plans to sell and reportedly values the club at around €2bn or more.Rizzetta said: “De Laurentiis has no obligation or need to sell, but if he were to sell on mutually fair terms, we would be ready. At present, our group and other investors from the United States are offering between €1bn and €1.3bn.“But, I repeat, he is the owner and can do what he wants, and he has already shown over the past 22 years that he can manage an important club in a city like Naples.”Underdog began pursuing an acquisition in late 2025, with discussions reportedly continuing during October despite the distance between the parties’ valuations.Rizzetta has indicated that he does not want negotiations to run too far into 2027 before considering alternative football investments.His existing interests include Campobasso and Napoli’s basketball operations, with further agreements intended to bring different sports together under a shared identity.Rizzetta explained: “We have Napoli Basketball, and our vision is to create a wonderful multisport organisation, taking Naples towards the highest level of world sport under a single brand. We have already reached agreements with other important organisations in the city, including volleyball, which will be announced shortly.”The strategy also encompasses property and infrastructure, drawing on the city’s tourism growth to develop hospitality and other commercial opportunities alongside sport.Underdog manages approximately €300m in assets, substantially below the capital required for a Napoli acquisition, although Rizzetta maintains that he has identified the necessary financing.The wider football investment could exceed €2bn once spending beyond the purchase price is included.A potential €500m public-private partnership to redevelop the Diego Armando Maradona stadium has also been discussed with the city administration, but remains exploratory.If a Napoli deal cannot be reached, Underdog is considering Juve Stabia or Real Aversa as alternatives, with approximately €100m envisaged for a project covering a club, infrastructure, youth development and community programmes.That route would involve relocating and relaunching a team using intellectual property acquired from an inactive Neapolitan football club, with the long-term ambition of reaching Serie A.Alongside its football plans, Underdog is pursuing a proposed €300m basketball arena accommodating 12,000 spectators, rising to 15,000 for concerts.Rizzetta ultimately wants to bring the city’s sporting and property investments into a diversified platform open to additional investors, although acquiring Napoli remains his preferred route to establishing its principal football asset.