AC Partnership taps Sky Italia exec as CEO

The America's Cup looks to have a new power broker, and he comes from a world far removed from yacht clubs and match racing.

Though not yet officially announced, Italian media are reporting that Marzio Perrelli has been tapped as CEO of the America's Cup Partnership. The 57-year-old Roman spent 26 years in investment banking – senior roles at Goldman Sachs in London and New York, then HSBC Italia – before pivoting to sports media as Executive Vice President at Sky Italia.

At Sky, Perrelli oversaw the Formula 1 rights renewal and helped position foiling sailing as a mainstream broadcast product alongside MotoGP and Serie A. Sky Italia acquired the rights to AC36 and AC37 and also holds the rights to SailGP.

The ACP's stated aim is to create something resembling the Liberty Media model that transformed Formula 1: stable rules, long-term broadcast deals, revenue sharing, and clear entry criteria for new teams. The "winner takes all" ethos of the Deed of Gift – steeped in tradition but difficult terrain for long-term investment – is being left behind. Not everyone's on board: opponents have announced plans to take the Partnership to court in March.

Perrelli's immediate focus will likely be what he knows best – television rights and new media. According to Italian reports, he'll also be strengthening and "Italianising" the America’s Cup team that ran the previous edition in Barcelona. Comparisons are already being drawn with Stefano Domenicali, the former Ferrari team principal who now runs Formula 1.

The America's Cup declined to confirm or deny the reports when contacted by The Foil. An announcement may be coming, but for now it's just Italian whispers. The team lineups for AC38, meanwhile, remain largely unknown. The Sardinia preliminary regatta kicks off on 21 May. Just under three months for the pieces to fall into place.