Serie A club AS Roma hopes to be playing in a new stadium within two-and-a-half years after plans "were presented to the city council on Monday," according to Ben Gladwell of ESPN. A 60,000-capacity arena "will be built on land between the city and Fiumicino airport, just as long as the Region of Lazio approve the plans." Club President James Pallotta "hopes that will happen swiftly to enable work to commence within six months." Pallotta: "We would then need a further 22 to 24 months to complete all the infrastructure. This stadium is going to be an important structure for decades to come in Italy." Pallotta "is convinced sponsors will be found to help fund the building of the new stadium, confirming that the City of Rome and Region of Lazio will not have to spend a cent on its construction." Pallotta: "Roma will be the owners of this stadium through a holding company. This was the only way to finance it. All of the revenue will go to the club for all of its activities. In just one year, the revenue is going to grow notably. If we want to compete to become one of the world's top clubs, then we need to own our own stadium." Even Serie A rival Juventus has sent its "best wishes." Juventus President Andrea Agnelli wrote on asroma.it, "Jim, good luck to you! It's an ambitious project which will enrich not only Rome, but the whole of Italian football. I can't wait for Juve to be able to go there to beat you!" (ESPN, 6/15).
