If Friedkin Deal Falls Through, Pallotta's Plan B Reportedly Includes Saudi Royals

From the simple question of when can we play again—and what that will look, sound and feel like—to the long-term financial impacts of potentially lost seasons, the Coronavirus pandemic has shrouded the entire sporting world in uncertainty. While we're creeping towards the resumption of play in several leagues, not many clubs have faced the double layer of uncertainty Roma has these past few months.

Not only has the club had to deal with the ambiguity related to the resumption of the 2019-2020 season, but they've had the pending change in ownership hanging over its head for the past five months. While the handover to Dan Friedkin seemed just a couple of signatures away from being a reality back January/February, the complete and utter stoppage of the sport has reportedly given the Friedkin Group pause as we head towards the summer.

In other words, what was once certain is now anything but. With sources within the Friedkin Group saying the deal now only has a 20 to 30% chance of going through, James Pallotta is reportedly looking at alternative ways to secure additional financing and/or sell the club outright.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Pallotta, with the aid of Goldman-Sachs, is searching high and low to find new investors for Roma, including Mohammed bin Salman, the Prince of Saudi Arabia, whose attempt to buy Newcastle United has been protested, in part, due to his potential involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashogi.

We'll keep tabs on this one, but with Serie A set to resume on June 13th, perhaps the Friedkin deal isn't as dead as it seemed earlier this month.