Serie A Side AS Roma Owner Expects To Announce Approvals For New Stadium

Serie A side AS Roma Owner James Pallotta said that he was expecting an announcement of regional approvals for a new Roma stadium that "would break ground next spring," according to Grant Wahl of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. It would be a 54,000-seat stadium "alongside an entertainment complex." Pallotta added that privately funded at the cost of nearly $1B, the "new complex would more than double Roma’s revenue models" (SI, 11/23). As the final phase of the evaluations of the Stadio della Roma project begin in Rome, councilors are confident the process will conclude smoothly. The four main governing bodies involved in the decision -- Roma Capitale, Città Metropolitana, Lazio Region and State -- are discussing the final elements of the proposed stadium project. Lazio Region Town Planning Councilor Michele Civita said, "From what I've heard -- and, as you know, I'm not involved in the conference -- there's a very constructive atmosphere." Civita expects a final verdict on the project to arrive early this week (AS Roma).