AS Roma Secure Training Deal with Walt Disney

Italian Serie A team AS Roma have signed a contract with the US giant Walt Disney corporation to train at its sports facilities in Florida, the club said on Monday.

“It’s a first step (for the club) in the United States, there will be others,” said club administrator Mark Pennes.

The six-year contract will see Roma train at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando during the Italian league’s winter break, as well as see the development of the club brand in the United States.

A number of major US teams already have a contract with Disney to use the facilities, including the Atlanta Braves baseball team, American football outfit Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Orlando Magic from basketball.

Roma, currently sixth in Serie A, are owned by US entrepreneur Tomaso DiBenedetto, who took over as president last year, ending 18 years of ownership by the Sensi family, first Franco and then his daughter Rosella.

by Ismail Uddin