As 2026 begins, planning operations for the NBA's European league project in partnership with FIBA is intensifying.
Meetings took place in London with teams and investors interested in the project, and the NBA expects to receive bidding proposals by the end of March from investors seeking a permanent franchise in the new league.
Italy is among the countries expected to have two permanent spots in NBA Europe, with Milan and Rome participating.
In Italy, there has been significant movement in recent weeks regarding the NBA project, driven in part by Gianni Petrucci, the Italian federation president and enthusiastic supporter of the NBA-FIBA joint venture.
Let's examine the situation in Milan and Rome to assess current updates and potential developments over the coming months.
Olimpia Milan, AC Milan, or something else?
The main question regarding the city of Milan within the NBA Europe project is: who will actually represent the city in this new league?
The obvious answer would be Olimpia Milano, a team with a rich history that has competed in the EuroLeague for years.
However, Olimpia are undergoing a transition. Following Giorgio Armani's death, ownership of the club passed to the Armani Foundation, chaired by Pantaleo Dell'Orco, Armani's longtime business partner.
There have also been significant changes on the club's sporting side in recent months.
Ettore Messina has stepped down as head coach but will remain in a management role at least until the end of the season, when his contract expires.
Messina, together with GM Christos Stavropoulos, attended the NBA meeting in London and has been in open communication with Adam Silver, the league commissioner, for months.
Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix
Olimpia are obviously fascinated by the NBA's project in Europe, but the club has also signed a partnership renewal with the EuroLeague for the next ten years.
To join the NBA-FIBA joint venture, the club would need to exercise the exit clause in its current agreement with the EuroLeague.
The Milan club's hope, however, is that the new EuroLeague CEO, Chus Bueno, can help ease relations with the NBA and reach an agreement that allows all parties to work together rather than come into conflict.
It will not be easy, given that the NBA has operated independently recently, but there is still time to resolve the situation.
On the other hand, there is the active involvement of Gerry Cardinale, one of the main supporters of the NBA project in Europe.
The owner of AC Milan, a historic soccer club, and the Redbird Group maintain excellent ties with NBA leadership and are working to ensure their group is part of the project's future.
Cardinale and Redbird have been in contact with Olimpia's management in recent months to explore a potential partnership. However, Cardinale is so determined to join the NBA project that he may create a new entity from scratch if an agreement with Olimpia fails.
Gerry Cardinale
Credit AP-Scanpix
The NBA is very interested in historic soccer teams with large fan bases, making a potential partnership with AC Milan particularly attractive.
It is likely the Redbird Group will submit a binding franchise proposal by late March, though it remains unclear if they will act alone or with partners like Olimpia.
The other major Milanese soccer club, Inter, has also held exploratory talks with NBA executives.
There is talk in club circles of a possible partnership with Pallacanestro Varese, owned by Luis Scola.
Scola is reportedly interested in the NBA project, despite knowing Varese would likely need to qualify through the BCL or a new qualifying tournament rather than receiving an initial permanent spot.
There is news on the arena front in Milan. For years, Olimpia have played at the Unipol Forum in Assago, a facility inaugurated in 1990.
However, the arena is not owned by the club, which rents the Forum for games and practices.
The Bastogi group has owned the facility for years, but ownership is about to change.
The entertainment giant Live Nation has purchased control of ForumNet, which manages the Unipol Forum, the nearby RePower theater, and the Carroponte concert venue near Sesto San Giovanni, for approximately $90 million.
It remains to be seen how this change in ownership will affect Olimpia Milano's long-term arena plans.
Credit Reuters-Scanpix
The Santa Giulia Arena was inaugurated for the Winter Olympics to host ice hockey competitions.
After the Olympics, the facility will undergo further work to host other sporting events.
The arena is owned by German entertainment giant Cts Eventim. The company invested over €180 million in the 16,000-seat facility, which will be renamed the Unipol Dome after the Olympics.
Rumors have circulated that Olimpia Milano might move to Santa Giulia within a few years.
However, this seems unlikely currently, as the rental price demanded by Cts Eventim appears to be too high for the club.
What's happening in Rome?
Significant arena developments are also underway in Rome.
The Italian Olympic Committee has announced that, after this year's tennis tournament, the central court at the Foro Italico will be fitted with a roof, transforming it into a 13,000-seat indoor facility.
The renovated stadium will be a major asset for investors looking to establish a new Rome-based team.
As reported by the Italian newspaper Il Tempo, three groups are attempting to form a new team.
The first group includes Paul Matiasic, the current president of Pallacanestro Trieste.
Associated with the Cotogna Sports Group, this American ownership has performed well in Trieste and now aims to establish a Rome franchise for the upcoming NBA Europe project.
Another group with Serbian ties is led by Zoran Savic, former GM of Partizan Belgrade.
Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic
Savic is reportedly actively pursuing high-profile coaches like Ettore Messina and Sasha Djordjevic to join the venture.
The third group, however, remains shrouded in mystery.
It is believed to be another American investment fund, but, at least for now, it seems unlikely that Dan Friedkin, owner of AS Roma and former bidder for the Boston Celtics, is involved.
The plan involves entering the Italian top flight as early as next season by acquiring Cremona's sporting license.
One thing is certain: preparations for the NBA's arrival in Italy are intensifying.
With the Italian Basketball Federation backing the NBA to challenge EuroLeague dominance, substantial changes appear imminent for the future of Italian basketball.
NBA Europe Just Got A Reality Check…
Orazio Cauchi
Orazio Cauchi started his career in basketball at 21, having worked for several years at Sportando as the lead writer of the website. He also covered several live events, including the Euroleague Final Four, Italian Cups, Serie A league finals, and EuroBasket. He also contributed to American media, such as LibertyBallers and Def Pen Hoops. Cauchi joined BasketNews in 2021 as a Staff Writer. Holds a degree in Politics & International Relations.
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