Italian American entrepreneur Matt Rizzetta has an ambitious vision for Naples – and it could eventually give the city something it has never experienced in modern soccer: a derby between two major hometown teams.
Rizzetta, founder of Underdog Global Partners (UGP) and owner of Napoli Basket, remains interested in acquiring SSC Napoli from Aurelio De Laurentiis. His objective is to establish a multisport organization modeled on European giants such as Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, the New York businessman has revealed an intriguing alternative. UGP has acquired the intellectual property rights associated with a historic Neapolitan soccer club that disappeared following the establishment of SSC Napoli in 1926.
The idea is to revive the Internaples legacy, reconnecting contemporary soccer with the city's sporting history.
Rather than immediately competing at the highest level, Rizzetta envisions building a club from the ground up, investing in youth development, infrastructure, innovation and community engagement.
His inspiration includes Como, which progressed from Italy's fourth division to Serie A within approximately 10 years.
Rizzetta has praised the De Laurentiis family's achievements while expressing confidence that additional investment could strengthen Naples' sporting ecosystem.
The entrepreneur expects greater clarity about his acquisition plans by early 2027. Meanwhile, his alternative project offers an exciting possibility: creating another professional soccer institution in a city where the sport represents a fundamental part of local identity.
For Rizzetta, whose family roots connect America and southern Italy, the ambition extends beyond business – it is about building a lasting sporting legacy.
