MLB Hall of Fame player Mike Piazza has "bought a majority share" in third-tier Italian LegaPro club AC Reggiana, according to Selene Scarsi of ESPN. Piazza, who last year considered purchasing Parma "before the side's excessive debts stalled negotiations," announced the news on his Twitter page, posting that he was "extremely excited to announce [to] have agreed in principle to acquire a majority share of LegaPro side Reggiana." The club confirmed "having reached an agreement with the Italian-American in a brief statement" on its website, echoing Piazza's words. Piazza, whose grandfather moved to the U.S. from Sicily, has had a "life-long interest in Italian football and is a keen Palermo fan" (ESPN, 6/9). FOOTBALL ITALIA reported Piazza said, "The Reggiana situation arouse organically. We had casual discussions that turned more serious recently. My representative and friend Maurizio Franzone was instrumental in finding common ground. It will not be an easy project but I really like the region and the fans. We will try to build the team with sound management and discipline, because as you know, the competition is strong." Reggiana is based in Reggio-Emilia, the same region as Parma, and plays its home games at Sassuolo's Mapei Stadium (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 6/8).
