There were some rumors that Roman Abramovich, boss of "Chelsea", might have become owner of "Dinamo" Tbilisi. But another Roman showed up now - Pipia. 500 million USD - it is property of new owner of "Dinamo" Tbilisi Roman Pipia.
Now let us get to know Roman Pipia better. Many interesting information are in Russian editions because Pipia had business there for a long time.
Pipia was born in Gagra on April 8, 1966. He moved to Russian city Saratov in 1983. He graduated from Moscow Consumer Cooperative University and Moscow Management University in Saratov. His brother Roland Pipia is MP of Georgia.
profile.ru wrote a big article about Pipia. He is one of the most influential businessmen in Saratov and is a friend of governor of Saratov Oblast Dmitry Ayatskov. Pipia was manager of "Agroros" Holding. He had three factories of alcohol drinks and shares of airline "Saratov Airlines". "Liksar" was name of his liquor factory.
Russian press does not write good things about Pipia. Perhaps, it is because he supported Georgia during Russian-Georgian war in 2008.
In August 2009, Russian websites spread information that Pipia was persecuted because he registered bank credits illegally.
Pipia has business in Georgia. He is building 5-star hotel and business center "Hyatt" in Tbilisi. It has not been built yet.
At the end of the 90s, Roman Pipia was president, sponsor and shareholder of "Sokol" Saratov because his holding "Zerno Pavolzhia" was supporting the club. That was a successful period for the club because "Sokol" moved from Russian First Division to Supreme League and took the 8th place. Besides that, the team went through the semifinal of Russian Cup.
"Pipia formed "Sokol" as a financially strong team in Russia. Thanks to him and governor of Saratov Oblast Dmitry Ayatskov, "Sokol" was in top 5 of financially strong clubs. Then everything went wrong. Now, Pipia is far away from Saratov", - sarinform.ru.
After 3 years Pipia left "Sokol" and Saratov. It happened when Ayatskov was dismissed. Future owner of "Dinamo" Tbilisi went to France and had business in Nice.
It is not known yet how many investments Pipia will put in "Dinamo".
In February 2002, "Sovetsky Sport" asked Pipia:
- Can you name budget of "Sokol"?
- Of course, it is commercial secret but if I do not name it there will be many rumors about it. 10 million USD is our budget.

Ilia Nanobashvili