Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has firmly rejected a colossal takeover proposal, turning down a 2 billion euro offer from a consortium of American investors. Despite the staggering figure on the table, the 77-year-old owner has absolutely no intention of selling the club. This decision is heavily influenced by a rapidly approaching historic milestone – the club's centenary, which will be celebrated on August 1, 2026.
The valuation of the Neapolitan club has seen exponential growth over the past few years. This surge is driven by consistent on-field success, steady revenue streams from European competitions, and significant global brand expansion. Industry estimates placed the club's enterprise value at approximately 1.1 billion euros in 2025, marking an increase of over 40% compared to the previous decade.
Faced with an offer that nearly doubles current market estimates, the president's refusal underscores his commitment to remaining at the helm. He is highly focused on building a privately owned stadium and launching a new technical cycle for the team.
Behind this massive American financial operation was the North Sixth Group, an investment holding company led by Matt Rizzetta. Rizzetta is a 40-year-old Italian-American entrepreneur who launched his family office in 2020. He utilized capital generated from his successful public relations agency, originally founded in 2010. Today, his group allocates funds across various sectors, displaying a strong preference for sports investments. Rizzetta is not a newcomer to the Italian sports landscape. Starting in 2022, he gradually acquired shares in Campobasso FC, eventually taking 100% ownership and leading the club to rapid success. His portfolio also includes international investments like Brooklyn FC and recent agreements to acquire a majority stake in Napoli Basket.
The American group's vision was to establish a massive urban sports hub, an integrated network capable of attracting significant financial resources – effectively uniting soccer and basketball under a single US management style. However, the firm stance taken by Napoli's leadership has completely repelled the bid, proving that the future of the soccer team is not currently for sale.
