Phoenix Pictures has picked up the movie rights to John Grisham's best-selling non-legal novel "Playing for Pizza" says The Hollywood Reporter.

The story centers on a washed-up NFL quarterback who finds a new perspective on life and a love for all things Italian when his agent lands him a deal to play with a semi-professional team in Parma, Italy.

A search for a writer in the project is under way while Mike Medavoy, Arnie Messer and David Thwaites will produce.