Together, Lou and Reed played instrumental roles in helping establish IFL Srl’s presence as a vehicle to bring American football to Italy and develop its governance structure.
TOLEDO, OH — Shumaker’s Louis E. Tosi, Of Counsel, and Reed Hauptman, Toledo Managing Partner and Management Committee Member, have been named to the Italian Football League Srl’s (IFL Srl) Board of Directors following the organization’s incorporation in February 2026. Lou, a long-time league partner and advocate, has been named Chairman of the Board, and Reed will serve as the organization’s Chief Legal Officer.
Lou, an environmental and international business attorney with deep ties to the Italian American community, brings a strong connection to Italy that aligns closely with IFL Srl’s mission to expand American football in the country. A member of the National Italian American Foundation’s Board of Directors, Lou was named a Knight of the Republic of Italy in 2025, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Italian government on individuals who have made significant contributions to strengthening Italy’s cultural and economic relationships with other countries. In the same year, he was also appointed to the Advisory Board of the Rome City Institute, a premier Italian university dedicated exclusively to student-athletes. His longstanding engagement with Italian institutions and cross-border initiatives has helped support the establishment of IFL Srl.
Reed focuses his practice on business law banking, real estate finance and development, and land use planning. He has extensive experience representing large and small businesses and developers in a wide range of commercial transactions, including business formation and funding. His practice also includes the representation of institutional lenders in new financing arrangements, loan workouts, and secured transactions.
Together, Lou and Reed played instrumental roles in helping establish IFL Srl’s presence as a vehicle to bring American football to Italy and develop its governance structure. IFL Srl assumes the operational and commercial management of the First Division Championship of the Italian Federation of American Football (FIDAF).
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as Chairman of the Board for IFL Srl and support the continued growth of American football in Italy. Italy has long held a special place in my life and career, and this initiative represents a meaningful opportunity to further strengthen the connection between Italy and the United States through sport. I look forward to working with the Board to help build a strong future for the First Division Championship and the game’s continued development across Italy,” said Lou.
“Helping bring American football to Italy through the formation of IFL Srl has been an exciting and meaningful effort. Lou and I have been fortunate to work alongside a group deeply committed to growing the sport internationally, and I am honored to serve as Chief Legal Officer to help guide the league’s growth and long-term success,” said Reed.
In recent years, the growth of Italian American football has expanded beyond national borders, as the 2023 and 2025 Championship Finals (Italian Bowl) were held in Toledo with thousands of attendees. As the National Football League’s (NFL) European investment and presence increases into countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain, the formation of IRL Srl positions Italy to host future live NFL events with an established national football ecosystem and fan base.
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