Former footballer Gianluca Vialli "is looking to strengthen ties between fans and clubs, seeking funding for a venture that aims to tap the growing trend of sports teams using alternative ways to bolster their finances" by looking to supporters, according to Murad Ahmed of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The ex-Chelsea and Juventus striker is one of the founders of Tifosy, an equity crowdfunding group that "allows ordinary individuals to invest in sports clubs," which can opt to raise funds through selling equity shares, mini-bonds or seeking donations "in return for specific rewards." This week, Tifosy launched a campaign to raise £1M ($1.3M) from investors to fund its int'l growth, valuing itself at about £10M ($13.1M). Vialli said, "We are sorting out two major problems in sport, but now, especially in football: financing and disengagement between clubs and fans." Vialli is a co-founder of Tifosy alongside CEO Fausto Zanetton, a former investment banker with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Tifosy said that it has helped to raise roughly £1M for clubs since it was founded in '15, including League Championship side Fulham, League Two side Coventry City and a "number of Italian Serie B clubs" (FT, 9/6).
