February 16, 2024: The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has today named the Pelligra Group as the new owners of Perth Glory Football Club.
A private, family-owned business, Pelligra Group has recently expanded its operations to acquire interests in a number of sporting clubs around the world and becomes the new owner of Perth Glory following an extensive process.
In Europe, Pelligra Group has a 100% interest in Catania Football Club s.r.l., while in Australia the group has ownership in basketball, baseball and ice hockey clubs. The diversity of sports allows the exchange of information, which enables the Group to cross-market and create more opportunities for youth development and community involvement.
Nick Garcia, A-Leagues Commissioner, said:
“Perth Glory is one of Australia’s oldest and most decorated professional football clubs and we are pleased to welcome Ross Pelligra to the A-Leagues as the club enters a new era.
“Ross is a successful business and football operator, both locally and abroad, and this experience and his passion for the world game is a great asset for Perth Glory and the A-Leagues.
“There is an incredible opportunity that exists for football in Western Australia. We believe that with this new ownership, the future of Perth Glory is in safe hands and we look forward to seeing them deliver success both on and off the pitch.
“We are grateful to the Western Australian Government for its strong support during this transition period and into the future. I also want to acknowledge and thank the fans for their passion for the Glory and club management, staff, players and coaches for their dedication and commitment to the club during this time.”
Ross Pelligra, new Perth Glory owner said:
“I’m relishing the prospect of re-establishing Glory as a benchmark club of Australian football. Sport is a great passion of mine and over the years I have invested in other sporting clubs in Australia and in Italy.
“I have seen how integral a sporting club can be to a community.It can have a powerful, unifying impact and that is what we are here to achieve in Perth. There are three key pillars we need to focus on in the first phase of our tenure; to reconnect; to drive success and to create long term sustainability.
“I remember watching Perth Glory when I was a child on TV back in Melbourne and thinking that football had arrived in this country when I saw a packed Perth Oval every home game and a team that played an exciting and attacking brand of football that had everyone in Perth captivated.
“That is the energy we know exists here and that is the energy we must rediscover. We have learned from our previous experiences with other sporting franchises, but every team is different, every city is different and it is important we listen and learn.
“I want to return the club back to the Glory days. We want it to be the envy of every other A-League club, just like it was when it was first founded. I know that we have a strong football community here in Perth and it’s time to reunite.”
Anthony Radich, Perth Glory CEO said:
“Today’s announcement brings to an end what has been an extremely challenging period for Perth Glory and opens a new and exciting chapter in our history.”
“The Pelligra Group brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and resources that we are confident will successfully rebuild the club’s reputation, image and credibility, revitalise its commercial relationships and most importantly, reconnect it with the WA community.
“With these key building blocks in place, Perth Glory’s enormous potential can be unlocked and the sustained success which our loyal Members and fans crave and deserve can be delivered.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our administration and coaching staff and players, along with our Members and fans, for their patience and understanding during this period of transition for the club.
“We look forward to working closely with our new owners to help drive Perth Glory into what will undoubtedly be a bright new era for the club.”
The sale and transition of Perth Glory’s licence to the Pelligra Group was completed today. The new ownership is subject to the usual regulatory checks including ‘Fit and Proper Persons’ by Football Australia.
Perth Glory’s next match in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men is against Brisbane Roar on Saturday 17 February at HBF Park. In the Liberty A-League Women, Perth Glory take on the Central Coast Mariners at Macedonia Park on Sunday 18 February.
