Interview with Rosario Procino, President of the Napoli Club New York City: “Here in New York we’ve recreated a little Maradona — the Napoli Club has become a community.”
With this interview we inaugurate Fan Club, a new section of our site dedicated to exploring Italian supporters’ clubs across the United States — communities born to bring the passion, culture, and identity of Italian football across the ocean. A mosaic of groups who live their love for their team as if they were back home, despite the distance.
We begin this journey with one of the most active and recognized clubs overseas: Napoli Club New York City, which for more than a decade has brought together hundreds of Azzurri fans in the Big Apple. Its home is Ribalta, the restaurant-pizzeria that has become a true temple of Italian football in Manhattan. Leading the club is Rosario Procino, Neapolitan entrepreneur, Ribalta co-founder, and the driving force behind Napoli fandom in New York.
With him, we retraced the birth of the club, the evolution of Napoli support in the U.S., the relationship with the city and with the club, the most emotional moments, and the dream still waiting to be fulfilled.
How and when was Napoli Club New York City born?
“The current structure was created in 2013. The club existed before, but like all Italian fan clubs in New York, we had no choice but to jump from one pub to another — mostly English pubs — because nobody really showed Italian football. In 2013, when we opened Ribalta, we decided to install a screen and re-establish the Napoli Club New York City there. Since then, it has remained our home.”
Ribalta has become a landmark for Italian fans in NYC. How did it become the headquarters of your club?
“At first it was almost a unifying moment for Italian football. No one was showing matches for Italians in New York, so we chose to become the home of Italian football. During the first year all the clubs came — even the Roma Club. There were spontaneous rivalry moments, which were beautiful. Over time, Napoli’s presence grew, also thanks to the team’s parallel rise: we were in the De Laurentiis era, when Napoli began to consistently compete at the top.”
In Naples, the De Laurentiis era has always divided opinions. Does living it from afar change the perception?
“Today it’s easy to jump on the bandwagon, but over the years opinions were always split. Some appreciated the stability and competitiveness, others said something was always missing to actually win.
I’ve always admired De Laurentiis: he fights against the giants of the North and, with fewer resources, kept us consistently high. After past financial collapses, stability was everything to me. Of course, the big win was missing — but the direction was right. And with the results, the whole fanbase came together.”
How many members does the club have today?
“We’re talking several hundred, also thanks to many tourists passing through New York. The core group — the ones always there — is about thirty people.”
How hard is it to live such a strong passion from afar?
“It’s tough because you miss the stadium — something that used to be routine for many. But we’ve managed to recreate an atmosphere that during matches truly feels like a stadium. And living this passion together, far from home, really strengthens bonds. A real community has formed.”
You’ve lived many intense moments. Which one stayed with you the most?
“The Scudetto celebration: a massive party, with the street closed off and a couple thousand people celebrating. But the first big event was Euro 2021: we got official permits to close the street, and between 4,000 and 5,000 people showed up. A spectacle.”
The second Scudetto in three years: did you expect it?
“It was a climb until the very last matchday, especially coming from a 10th-place finish. With Conte there was a lot of hope — he always makes an immediate impact — but it was neck and neck all the way. Kvaratskhelia’s departure in January created uncertainty, and in the last two months it felt like neither Napoli nor Inter really wanted to win. A suffering very different from Spalletti’s triumphant run.”
Do you have a mascot player, someone the club has “adopted”?
“The collective has always mattered more than individuals. Sure, there are players who fight more — like Anguissa or Di Lorenzo, symbols of the last two Scudetti. But it’s usually the stars who stand out. Or the group as a whole.”
Do you often go to the Maradona with your banner?
“Yes. Starting this year we have a banner permanently displayed at every home match. Since we’re many, there’s always someone traveling who sends pictures with the scarf.”
Do traveling Napoli fans contact you for matches?
“Absolutely. For big matches, people write to us even two months in advance. Napoli and Roma are the Italian fanbases most represented among Italian visitors: even on vacation, you must watch the match.”
Your dream as club president?
“To see Napoli play in New York. They’re one of the few teams that rarely tour the U.S. If they ever brought a league match here, it would be incredible.”
What’s your relationship like with the other clubs in the city?
“In general, very good with almost everyone. Sometimes we watch games together, we meet outside football too. Except for a few who support like they’re still in the Curva, the overall atmosphere is very positive.”
🔵 Fan Club – Stories of Italian Supporters in the United States
