Football club ownership in Europe is often associated with billionaires from the United States, the Middle East, or Russia. However, an interesting reality has emerged in Italy’s football landscape. The richest football club owners in the country are actually from Indonesia.
The Hartono family, through their ownership of Como 1907, has quietly become one of the most influential investors in Italian football.
The Business Empire
The Hartono family is widely known as the wealthiest family in Indonesia. The two key figures behind the family’s fortune are Michael Bambang Hartono and Robert Budi Hartono.
Their wealth originates from the massive business empire built around the Djarum Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Southeast Asia.
In addition to the tobacco industry, the Hartono family holds major stakes in the banking sector through Bank Central Asia, one of Indonesia’s most valuable financial institutions.
Over the decades, their investments have expanded into various sectors including technology, property, and telecommunications.
Their combined wealth is estimated at tens of billions of dollars, making them not only the richest individuals in Indonesia but also among the wealthiest people in Asia.
When compared to the owners of football clubs in Italy, the Hartono family’s fortune surpasses many of them by a significant margin.
The Acquisition of Como 1907
The Hartono family entered Italian football in 2019 when they acquired Como 1907 through a company linked to their business network. At the time, the historic club was struggling financially and competing in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football.
The acquisition marked the beginning of a long-term project to rebuild the club. Rather than focusing solely on short-term success, the new ownership emphasized stability, professional management, and sustainable growth.
Financial backing from the Hartono family allowed the club to restructure its operations, strengthen its squad, and improve its organizational structure. This investment gradually transformed Como into a competitive team capable of climbing the Italian football pyramid.
Rebuilding the Club
After the takeover, Como 1907 began implementing a modern approach to football management.
The club focused on improving its training facilities, scouting system, and youth development programs. These steps were crucial in creating a sustainable foundation for future success.
The management also worked on enhancing the club’s global image. Como’s location near Lake Como, one of Italy’s most famous tourist destinations, became part of the club’s branding strategy. The combination of football, culture, and tourism helped attract international attention.
The project also involved collaboration with well-known figures in world football. Several former international players became involved with the club either as investors or advisors, helping to strengthen its sporting credibility.
The most prominent example is obviously Cesc Fabregas. The former Arsenal and Barcelona star who is currently working as the manager.
Promotion and Growing Ambitions
Within a few years of the takeover, Como began to show significant progress on the field. The club earned promotions through the Italian league system and gradually returned to higher levels of competition.
Fabregas moved as a player to Como in 2022 and decided to retired at the club two years later. He then helped them get the promotion to Serie A as an interim coach before finally got the top job on July 2024.
Right now, Como is sitting in fourth position in the Serie A. If they can maintain this position, they will play in the Champion’s League next season which is the first ever in the club’s history.
On top of that, Como is currently in the semifinal of Coppa Italia. Next month, they will face Inter Milan for the second leg match after a goalless tie at home.
The Hartono family’s financial strength provided stability during this period of growth. Unlike many football investors who seek rapid results, the approach taken at Como focused on long-term development and careful planning.
This strategy has allowed the club to grow steadily while maintaining financial discipline. As a result, Como has transformed from a struggling lower-division club into one of the most interesting projects in Italian football.
The Richest Owners in Italian Football
What makes the story particularly remarkable is the scale of the Hartono family’s wealth compared with other club owners in Italy. Their fortune is estimated at more than forty billion dollars, which places them far above most other football investors in the country.
Many Italian clubs are owned by wealthy entrepreneurs or investment groups, but few owners possess financial resources on the scale of the Hartono family. This effectively makes them the richest football club owners in Italy.
Despite this financial power, the family has maintained a relatively low public profile. Their strategy has focused more on building a strong organization rather than making headline-grabbing spending decisions.
Globalization of Football Ownership
The ownership of Como 1907 by the Hartono family reflects a broader trend in modern football. Over the past two decades, club ownership has become increasingly international, with investors from around the world entering European leagues.
This globalization has transformed football into a truly global industry where financial resources, media exposure, and international branding play crucial roles.
The involvement of Indonesian investors in Italian football highlights how the sport continues to expand beyond its traditional centers of power.
For Indonesia, the Hartono family’s ownership of Como also represents a unique connection between Southeast Asia and European football. It demonstrates how business influence from emerging economies is increasingly shaping the future of the sport.
In the end, the story of the Hartono family and Como 1907 is more than just a tale of wealth. It is an example of how strategic investment, long-term planning, and global ambition can reshape the destiny of a historic football club.
