Urbano Cairo turned down an approach from then-Bari mayor Antonio Decaro to purchase the southern Italian club following its 2018 bankruptcy, citing his commitments to restructuring the publishing group RCS. The revelation came during an event in Bari celebrating the 150th anniversary of Corriere della Sera.
An Approach Arising from the 2018 Bankruptcy
The outreach from Decaro occurred during a turbulent period for the Biancorossi. Bari had suffered bankruptcy in July 2018, leaving the sporting title in the hands of the mayor. Decaro, serving as mayor at the time, sought out Cairo to secure the club’s future. Cairo, who has owned Torino since 2005, explained that the timing made an acquisition impossible.
Decaro called me in 2018 because he wanted me to take Bari,
Cairo stated during the event. At that moment, however, I couldn’t do it, as I had just acquired RCS and was evidently very busy with the restructuring.
Cairo expressed personal regret over passing on the opportunity, praising the city and its supporters. I abstained and I was sorry, however, because Bari is a city that I like very much and the people of Bari are truly warm,
he said.
Weighing Rizzoli-Corriere Restructuring Against a Second Club Ownership
The decision kept Cairo’s football portfolio limited to Torino. Taking on Bari in 2018 would have marked his second experience in Italian football. Instead, the media entrepreneur prioritized corporate reorganization following his takeover of RCS.
While declining the football club, Cairo maintained a business presence in the region. RCS operates a digital office in Bari employing more than 50 people, with Cairo describing Puglia as an effervescent region that is growing in a significant way.
Following Cairo’s refusal, the club was acquired by Filmauro, headed by the De Laurentiis family, on July 31, 2018.
Federal Regulations Governing Future Club Ownership
Discussions surrounding ownership of the Puglian club carry added urgency under current Italian football regulations. It has been highlighted that federation rules regarding the prohibition of multipropriety set a deadline of June 30, 2028, requiring the resignation of the multipropriety institution before that date.
Cairo’s revelation in Bari sheds light on the sliding doors moment of 2018, illustrating how corporate timelines in Milan ultimately prevented a notable ownership crossover into Southern Italian football.
