March 5, 2008

How QPR Will Conquer the World : and drape it in cashmere. A profile of new Rangers' co-owner Flavio Briatore. That jersey I picked up on clearance last year is looking like a brilliant investment.

read story | posted by yerfatma to Soccer at 12:00 AM CDT (6 comments total)

Briatore was born in Verzuolo near Cuneo, Italy, in the Maritime Alps, from a family of elementary school teachers. He got a diploma in Land Surveying at Fassino di Busca's high school with the lowest grades. Briatore found early work as a ski instructor and restaurant manager. He opened a restaurant named Tribüla, which was Briatore's nickname. The restaurant eventually closed.

In the 1970s he lived in Cuneo and became an assistant to businessman Attilio Dutto, owner of the Paramatti Vernici (formerly owned by Michele Sindona). Dutto was killed on March 21, 1979 in a car bomb attack ascribed to the Red Brigades.

Briatore next moved to Milan and worked in the Italian stock exchange. During this period, he met Luciano Benetton, founder of the Benetton clothing company. The two became friends and eventually business partners.

Briatore was involved in the bankruptcy of Paramatti, and eventually convicted on various counts of fraud in Bergamo and Milan to 4 years and 6 months of prison. To avoid imprisonment, he fled to Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands, where he kept close relations to Benetton and opened some Benetton stores.

Sounds like a very colorful background. Didn't know the man so I looked it up. Lots of money. Sure he will invest it to make things better.

Looking at the pictures, I would never eat at his restaurant, if that plate of food looks good, it must be the star power not the appeal or taste.

Comment icon posted by gfinsf at 3:13 AM CDT on March 5

Oh my god, Flav bought the team? I know he and Bernie Ecclestone were looking at a football team.

Flav IS a genius BTW. I love how that bio leaves out EVERYTHING he's done in F1 like lead Benetton and Renault to multiple championships, and bringing up relatively unknown drivers like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso and turning them into world champions.

Never knew he'd done time. Whatever, the man is a bloody genius IMO, and one of the most colorful and interesting guys on the prat perch.

Comment icon posted by Drood at 4:52 AM CDT on March 5

Never knew he'd done time

He didn't. Apparently if you run away fast enough it all goes under the bridge.

Comment icon posted by yerfatma at 7:14 AM CDT on March 5

Briatore is indeed the man - I'd be delighted to have him at Ipswich. He needs a Pat Symonds-type alongside him to be the smooth to go with Flav's rough, but no one will be in any doubt about what the vision is for the club and what is going to be done to make it happen.

Comment icon posted by Mr Bismarck at 8:17 AM CDT on March 5

"He didn't. Apparently if you run away fast enough it all goes under the bridge."

Which will be why Giorgio Chinagalia is currently hanging out in New York. Waiting for a bridge.

Comment icon posted by Mr Bismarck at 8:19 AM CDT on March 5

Bismarck: Thanks, I've been trying to remember Pat's name all bloody day!

And yes, I misread. I thought he'd done time. Regardless, the guy is a fucking genius and, giving that cheating shit Schumacher his break not withstanding (yes, I know Jordan fielded him first), I admire the guy greatly.

Comment icon posted by Drood at 2:28 AM CDT on March 6

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