Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini Weighs Two Takeover Bids From U.S., Asia

Serie A side Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini has confirmed "he is pondering two offers to buy his club," one from the U.S. and one from Asia, according to Ben Gladwell of ESPN.com. Real estate businessman Frank Cascio is "believed to be the man heading a bid" to buy the club after being put in contact with Zamparini by American Serie B club Venezia Owner Joe Tacopina, and Zamparini "admitted talks are advancing." Zamparini said, "All of the interested parties I have spoken to, particularly the Asians, have asked me to stay on here because they want me to supervise them. The group of American investors, however, have more experience on a sporting level and they want to take 100 percent. Negotiations could be long but they could also be short -- let's say it seems like it would be much shorter if I sell to the Americans." Despite Tacopina sponsoring a deal, the current Venezia president "insists he is not personally interested in taking control of the Sicilian club" (ESPN.com, 7/12).