America's Cup Rialto: Top TV Exec to head ACP; A new series of America's Cup Legal?
by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 17 Feb 23:09 GMT
Marzio Perelli - CEO of the America's Cup Partnership © Sky Italia
Several Italian media outlets are reporting that Marzio Perrelli (57) has been appointed CEO of the America's Cup Partnership (ACP).
Coming from a 26yr career in investment banking, Perrelli moved into a role as Executive Vice President of the Sport division at Sky Italia.
In this executive capacity he oversaw the consolidation of Sky Italia's sports offering which included expanding the channel's Motorsport content including obtaining the Formula 1 exclusive Italian rights renewal, and lifting coverage to 1300hr per year. He also had oversight for long term TV deals in Football, Tennis, and Basketball.
While serving as Executive Vice President Sport at Sky Italia, Perrelli was directly involved in bringing corporate sailing to mainstream Italian sports audiences.
He helped normalize foiling-era sailing as a broadcast-grade product alongside F1 and MotoGP - with similar commercial changes to be made around the America’s Cup.
Sky acquired Italian broadcast rights for the America's Cup, including AC36 (Auckland 2021). Sky Italia also holds the Italian broadcast rights to SailGP.
Perrelli spent roughly 26 years in investment banking, including senior leadership roles at HSBC Italia and earlier at Goldman Sachs in London, New York, and Italy.
He holds degrees in Economics and Commerce from LUISS University in Rome.
The Cup in Court?
Opponents of the newly formed America's Cup Partnership have announced on social media that "a lawsuit will be filed in early March — to protect the Cup’s heritage, its national club-based tradition".
Their grounds have shifted from the claim that as foiling yachts the AC75 did not comply with the Deed of Gift requirements of being 44-90ft on LWL (Load Waterline Length). That issue was canvassed during the 2010 New York Supreme Court hearings over whether rudders were included in that measurement. Load Water Line is a shipping term and measured when the boat is at rest.
The latest claim hinges around the belief that "they are attempting to rewrite how the Deed of Gift works, turning the Cup into a commercial league that can be bought and sold."
It is also claimed that the event is being run by companies and not clubs as contemplated by the Deed of Gift, a three page document drafted by the original winners of the America's Cup.
But given that the burgees of both the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, being Challenger of Record and Defender respectively appear on the front cover of the Protocol governing the 38th America's Cup, this latest claim may be hard to sustain. Photographs also exist showing the Commodores of the respective clubs signing the Protocol, on August 12, 2025 in Auckland.