John J. Fisher to Bid on AS Roma?

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, the American clothing and sports entrepreneur, John J. Fisher, is prepared to make an offer for AS Roma.

Mr. Fisher, who already owns the clothing giants The Gap and Banana Republic, also has ownership interests in the Oakland Athletics (MLB), San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), and Celtic Glasgow (3.4% of the shares in the Scottish club since late last year).

La Gazzetta quoted figures of 250 million euros, along with taking over 370 million euros in debt. According to the article, Mr. Franco Sensi would remain the honorary President of Roma. His daughter, Rosella, presently runs the daily operations.

Here is my translation of a partial portion from the article:

"RE DEL CASUAL - Da qualche mese, John vuole la Roma. John J. Fisher, la J. sta per Joseph, in onore del pediatra che gli salvò la vita. Californiano di San Francisco, 46 anni, ultimogenito di Donald, il fondatore di Gap e Banana Republic, due colossi dell’abbigliamento casual americano, con un patrimonio personale che Forbes ha stimato in 1,5 miliardi di dollari. È lui il magnate americano che ha deciso di investire nel calcio italiano, scegliendo la Roma, un nome e un marchio conosciuti in tutto il mondo anche più delle sue camicie."

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 18 March 2008.

"King of Casual - For some months, John wants Roma. John J. Fisher, the "J: is for Joseph, in honor of the pediatrician who saved his life. A Californian from San Francisco, age 46, last child of Donald, the founder of Gap and Banana Republic, two colossal firms of American casual wear, with a personal net worth that Forbes has estimated at 1.5 billion dollars. He is an American magnate that has decided to invest in Italian soccer, choosing Roma, a name and brand known throughout the world better than his shirts."