US Billionaire Mike Repole Takes Majority Stake in Spezia

US billionaire Mike Repole has officially bought the majority stake in Serie C club Spezia Calcio. The club announced the takeover in an official statement. According to the statement, Repole agreed to become the club's new controlling owner.

Former owner Tom Roberts will remain at the club as a minority shareholder. Club president Charlie Stillitano will also stay in his post and welcomed the start of the new era.

Spezia was founded in 1906. The club went bankrupt several times. Its most recent bankruptcy, in 2008, forced it to restart from Serie D. In 2025 it came very close to promotion to Serie A, but lost the play-off final. Last season, however, its form collapsed and it was relegated to Serie C.

According to Forbes, the 57-year-old Repole's net worth is about 2.5 billion dollars. Repole was involved in founding the sports drink BodyArmor. He is also one of the co-founders of Glaceau.

Several Italian clubs are known to be run by figures from the United States, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.