Bologna –
On the sidelines of the press conference to present the new Arena of Virtus Segafredo Bologna, President Massimo Zanetti spoke to the press: “The new Arena is fundamental because Virtus lives on sponsors but also on the public, and for the city of Bologna, which as a public is truly exceptional, having a year-round capacity at this level is very important also from an economic point of view. A new company will be made to build the palace, the Virtus company remains detached, it has nothing to do with the management of the palace. The palace will live off the rents it takes from the various sponsors, also from Virtus because we will logically have to square the circle. The Arena was essential for the Euroleague-I said this even when I introduced Scariolo, I asked him to help us make Virtus a professional club like in the NBA. Professional clubs have to have a arena, they have to have a structure so they can be competitive in Europe. It must not be just the team, there must be a whole structure behind it. The women’s team is crucial because the city of Bologna has never had a women’s team at this level winning titles is part of the whole project we have. Right now we are in the running, the women have the Italian cup in Campobasso, I would already be happy if we bring home that which would be the first cup we take, then we fight for the scudetto with both the men’s and women’s teams. The Euroleague? If we win tomorrow night with Real Madrid we are still in the running for the playoffs. Scariolo already has a contract for next year, he is staying with us and we will see with him for the future. I am delighted with Scariolo, I think he is at least the best coach in Europe, if not the world: he is World Champion, he has won the European Championship four times, more than that you struggle.”
