Latest news with #NickGiannotti
Belfast Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
New Larne investor reveals the NI international who educated him on club
Larne's new shareholder Nick Giannotti says he has spoken about the club's journey with Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard and expressed a desire to see the Invermen return to the Champions League.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘I expect glorious days ahead' – Athlone Town backer adds to football portfolio with stake in Northern Ireland club
ATHLONE TOWN backer Nick Giannotti has expanded his interests by buying a stake in Larne. Giannotti and Eric Perez will join the board of directors at Inver Park after Redball Global acquired Kenny Bruce's 50 percent holding in his hometown club. The Giannotti is already a director at Plymouth Argyle whilst Canadian Perez is the owner of Truro City who have won promotion to the National League. Giannotti said: 'It's very exciting to join a club with a great community, a great ground, great partners, and more. Together I expect glorious days ahead.' It is unclear what sort of interaction there might be between the various clubs. Other multi-club models such as the Trivela Group's owning both Walsall and Drogheda United and Waterford's link-up with Fleetwood Town have seen significant traffic between sister clubs. Read More on League of Ireland Trivela's acquisition of Silkerborg ultimately cost Drogheda a place in European competition, earned on the back of their FAI Cup win. The American company failed to take the necessary steps to comply with Uefa's rules around ownership to allow both clubs compete in the Europa Conference League. As Silkeborg finished higher in the Danish League than Drogheda did in the League of Ireland, they got the nod to take part. 1 Athlone Town backer Nick Giannotti has bought a stake in Larne FC Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'New era' for Larne as Bruce sells stake
Larne have confirmed that owner Kenny Bruce has sold his 50% stake in the Irish Premiership the co-founder of an online estate agency, took over the then-Championship club in September 2017. Since then, Larne were promoted to the Premiership and won the club's first two top-flight titles in 2023 and 2024 before a run to the Uefa Conference League league phase last season. In a statement on Wednesday, the Inver Park club said Redball Global FC's Nick Giannotti and Eric Perez, who are described as "two seasoned executives with deep experience in international football and sports business", have acquired Bruce's said Giannotti and Perez's involvement "signals a new era" for Larne. Redball are also involved with English Football League club Plymouth Argyle and League of Ireland side Athlone Town. "I have always said that when it came time to hand over my shareholding in the club it would be to people who could give Larne FC a competitive edge moving forward and I am firmly of the belief this is the case," said Bruce. "Since the moment our conversations began, both Nick and Eric have been an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the due diligence and legal process."Neither are strangers to football in this part of the world and I am confident they will bring immense value to Larne FC in the years ahead, with their drive and professional experience."In September 2023, an American business consortium bought a minority share in Larne, before the Veeck family - who previously owned Major League Baseball sides St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox - made a minority investment three months later."We want to thank Kenny for all of his dedication to Larne. The club is in a strong position because of him, and his investments in infrastructure," said Giannotti."It's very exciting to join a club with a great community, a great ground, great partners, and more. Together I expect glorious days ahead."
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Let's make this next chapter something special' – American businessman confirms he has taken over running of Athlone Town
American businessman Nick Giannotti, a part-owner of Plymouth Argyle, has confirmed that he has taken over the day to day running of Athlone Town. He has assumed control after protracted discussions around the club's future which also involved Canadian Eric Perez, who runs English non-league side Truro City, and Zack Goldman, the founder of Tiger 11, a company designed to be a strategic partner with football clubs.
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
US businessman makes passionate plea to fans upon completion of League of Ireland club takeover
NEW Athlone Town owner Nick Giannotti has vowed not to be an absentee landlord. The American Plymouth Argyle director has taken over the Midlands club through his club Redball Energy. Advertisement There has been significant upheaval and uncertainty at Athlone since another USA-based venture, Valeo, cut off its funding at the end of last season. But, in an open letter on the club's website, Giannotti - who oversaw Giannott said: 'As I have yet to spend a significant amount of time on the ground with the Club and in the community, getting to know all of you, please afford me the opportunity to introduce myself briefly. 'Many of you may be skeptical, as I am not local to Athlone, but I can assure you that I am not just another disconnected, non-Irish owner. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football 'I was born and raised in San Diego, California, where I grew up playing football for a club called the Nomads and won three national championships. 'As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to spend two summers in the Northwest of England playing with the team, witnessing firsthand the significance of football to local communities. 'My father immigrated to the United States from Italy through Ellis Island. His story echoes that of so many Irish families who made a new life abroad. 'My wife, whose roots trace back to Cork, also studied at university in Dublin. Together, we have two young children, and our family is proud to now become part of the Athlone community. Advertisement Most read in Football 'Professionally, I co-founded Redball Energy, a solar company I've had the privilege to lead for over 15 years. 'More recently, I've had the chance to merge my professional skills and personal passion by serving as a Director and minority shareholder of Plymouth Argyle FC. Watch Roy Keane break character in hilarious blooper reel for League of Ireland ad "Football is a lifelong passion of mine, and it is with that same energy, respect, and drive that I come to Athlone. 'While I am not from Ireland, I know how much this club means to its supporters and its town. I understand the responsibility of this role. Advertisement "Please know that I am not here to change Athlone's identity. I aim to honour it, to protect it, and to grow it alongside all of you.' Athlone's men's team are rooted to the foot of the First Division whilst their women's team are preparing for a Champions League qualifier against 1 Giannotti promised widespread investment will be made across all aspects of the club And he vowed there are better times ahead for the club as a whole. Advertisement He said: 'There are many things that my team and I intend to do, but our vision is rooted in two principles: driving excellence and financial sustainability. 'We will invest in the club's infrastructure, our players, and our staff. "We will work tirelessly to build financial stability, sustainability, and increase revenue streams, enabling our teams to succeed on the pitch. 'We will become a club that nurtures and showcases young talent, both from Ireland and beyond, guided by data, smart recruitment, and a relentless commitment to improvement, both on and off the pitch.' Advertisement
