The sports practice at Hogan Lovells International LLP is broad. Co-head Paola Barometro focuses on institutional investments into Italian football and other cross-border football-related transactions, including PE deals and M&A, and ex-DLA Piper partner Francesco De Gennaro, who joined the team in January 2025, leads on restructuring mandates and distressed M&A in the sports industry. The group also advises on sports infrastructure and real estate matters, such as stadium redevelopment projects, IP and branding work, employment issues and regulatory disputes. Alessandro Lanzi, who arrived with De Gennaro, also focuses on restructuring and special situations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Very available and experienced.’
- ‘The practice is the most professional and prepared group I have ever worked with in Italy. They are incredibly polished and flexible, catering to any need of a client and deal circumstances. Their range of knowledge base and interpersonal communications is unmatched. Their ability to work with international clients in Italy and manage between the two sides is a major differentiator. They combine international sensibilities with Italian realities - critical to a client's success inthe country.’
- ‘Without Paola Barometro, our deals would not have been completed. Her talent as a lawyer, on the technical aspects, combined with her communication skills, puts her at the top 1% of sports M&A lawyers in the world.’
Key clients
- Banca Sistema
- Blue Skye
- Corrum Capital Management
- Genova Stadium
- Gestio Capital
- Hellas Verona Football Club
- Nicola Guida and Pharmaguida
- U.C. Città di Palermo in fallimento
- U.C. Sampdoria
Work highlights
Advised Presidio Investors on its acquisition of 100% ownership of the Hellas Verona Football Club.
Advised Gestio Capital on the acquisition process of U.C. Sampdoria S.p.A.
Advising Unione Calcio Sampdoria S.p.A. on the €70-80 million redevelopment of the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.
Practice head
Francesco De Gennaro; Paola Barometro
Other key lawyers
Alessandro Lanzi; Francesco Manzari; Martino Filippi; Federico Urbani; Francesco Foti; Edoardo Pea