Indonesian Businessman Thohir Eyes European Sports Market With Inter Milan Takeover

Among young Indonesian businessmen who in the last five years have established themselves in the economic and business limelight, the 43-year old ERICK THOHIR "stands out," according to Mathias Hariyadi of ASIA NEWS. After a long period of study in the U.S., and relative anonymity, "a few weeks ago he won the covers of major newspapers -- European and non" -- with the announcement of his next int'l takeover: a historic football team, founded in Milan in 1908. Thohir is the son of the co-founder of one of the most important automotive industries in the country, Astra Int'l. However, since last year, his name has been associated with the football club Milan. Thohir "has been propelled to the 'national' limelight and football is enjoying -- even in Indonesia -- a greater visibility." Together with American attorney JASON LEVIEN he has bought a club in the NBA and Major League Soccer side D.C. United. Now "his ambitions are moving to Europe and focusing on the most popular sport on the continent" (ASIA NEWS, 9/26).