A three-year deal, but not in football
The headline caused a stir in Italy on Friday morning. Francesco Totti has signed a three-year deal in Rome, but not with AS Roma. The former Giallorossi No 10 is joining Maxima Roma, a brand-new basketball team set to play in Serie A1, Italy’s top flight, after buying Brescia’s sporting licence.
His job will be as a consultant. He will be responsible for building the fan base and handling the club’s social responsibility work. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the agreement runs for three seasons and is worth more than 1 million euros a year.
“I was looking for new challenges and wanted to test myself. The role and, above all, the project I was offered convinced me straight away,” he said.
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A club with a licence, a slot, and nothing else
You can see why Maxima Roma wanted him. The club barely exists in the minds of people in Rome. No history, no trophies, no supporters. What it does have is a bought licence and a spot in the top tier to fill this season.
Totti brings exactly what it lacks. He came through the ranks in Rome and spent his entire professional career there, 25 seasons until retiring in 2017. AS Roma’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player, Serie A champion in 2001, World Cup winner with Italy in 2006. In the capital, his name opens doors money alone cannot.
“Ambition matters, but the desire to build something that can last is even more important. We want to give Rome and the people of Rome a basketball team they can back, identify with and be proud of,” the former striker added.
Two franchises chasing one empty seat
Maxima Roma is not alone in this space. Ciro Immobile, another well-known figure in Rome football but a former Lazio man, is also tied to the project. Another outfit, BC Roma, is linked to Luka Doncic and could end up moving closer to the Friedkins, owners of AS Roma.
Rome has been without a major basketball team for a long time. Two projects are now launching at once to fill that void. Whether the city can keep both alive is another matter.
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