Bologna –
Virtus Segafredo Bologna President Massimo Zanetti’s press conference:
I had read in the press that the company is hermetic, does not speak and does not communicate. I had said at the first press conference that for any topic on sports there was Paolo Ronci available. Let’s not talk about corporate data anymore, it’s a private company and they concern the two shareholders, not the public, it’s not a publicly traded company and it’s confidential things. On the sports part, it is fair for Paolo Ronci to tell what is going on. I consider season ticket holders as my biggest partners.
The first topic is more important you see it here with me, and that is Ivanovic. He has the proxy to make the team with Paolo Ronci. I confirm that I have signed the contract with our coach. I am delighted with the work done so far, and because he is a man of enormous experience, as a very good player and as a Euroleague coach. And he knows how to deal with great players. The coach is the most important person, I felt like reappointing him for the coming year, even though we had other offers, Virtus still has appeal.
Sports results – Virtus has come from a troubled year, because the destabilization of the company began last June, since then Virtus has been suffering from our own internal problems, and from character problems that have found their outlet in the press, which has contributed to making the internal life of the company even more difficult. The players read, they know, they see, and so the team’s behavior has suffered, and we’ve had notable ups and downs. But that’s the beauty of our sport. I can say that I am happy, and I will also say that to the two blocks of fans I meet this afternoon. We are first in the standings, we lost the Italian Cup, but playing with Milano, and it’s a final, one or the other can win. We have a chance to play for the championship. In the Euroleague we had big difficulties, but only one team wins the Euroleague, all the others lose. And our Italian competitor is not that far ahead of us, I wish them at least to get into the play-in. The top teams spend huge sums, winning it is a miracle. With a series of incredible results we could win it, but I can’t promise that. We will participate, as they should be. We have already been offered a license for the next three years, with Partizan and Red Star.
We are going to have a negotiation, because there is a considerable cost proposed, we have to find an agreement of some kind. It’s a big opening and it’s important to be there, because it has considerable visibility in Europe and the world, with televisions. It’s important for future sponsorship.
Sponsors – We have various negotiations, let’s see if we have just one or one for the Euroleague and one for Italy, I’m talking about the jersey one. They will be very important sponsors. We hope well.
Players – We cannot name names, but we have an advantage. As early as March/April we are working to make the new team. It is important to work now, not to do like last year, with poor Paul having to make the team in July. In July you find what’s left on the shelf. Add to that the work of destabilization, the team has suffered.
Company – The company has two partners, Zanetti and Gherardi, nothing changes, the two partners move forward quietly. For next year management remains the current one, absolutely. We work on fixing the holes, which I also feel responsible for, I was the president. But if no one asked me for anything….
We are working on certain figures, and I am sure that with this budget we will make a good team.
The contract for the arena will be 20 years, and I consider it convenient for Virtus. In 2019 when we started it was 30 million, then 40, now 70 … I don’t know how much it will be, but it’s no longer my problem but the Fairgrounds, which is owned by the city. It becomes a public good, of the city of Bologna, as Virtus is. When I am gone the new Virtus ownership will be able to use this asset. And it will be only Virtus’, we will also bring the offices and training facilities there.
Palasport – I have said that I will stay as a minimum until the palasport is delivered, that is why our delegate is councilor Giuseppe Sermasi. The contract for the palasport will be for 20 years, and I consider it convenient for Virtus. In 2019 when we started it was 30 million, then 40, now 70 … I don’t know how much it will be, but it’s no longer my problem but the Fairgrounds, which is owned by the city. It becomes a public good, of the city of Bologna, as Virtus is. When I am gone the new Virtus ownership will be able to use this asset. And it will only belong to Virtus, we will also bring the offices and training facilities there.
Goals – I hope the desired result will come, the Scudetto. The schedule is quite easy, it’s not that we meet very strong teams. The coach is focused, now in Virtus we live very well, there are no more crises. I hope that we will get a satisfactory end of the season.
Expenses – I have been spending an average of 6 million a year since I took Virtus because of Alberto Bucci. The 13 years were due to Covid, and they were spent and not set aside. I read wrong figures, on old budgets. We have to return over time a large amount to the government, but it is much less than that figure.
Budget – I already told Paul the figure, and I recommended not to do like last year, with three wrong budgets, we ended up with 7 million more to find. From this year I will take care of it more with Paolo and Dr. Comellini, absolutely not one euro will be overrun. The budget takes into account receipts and “normal” sponsors. I have in my head a figure to collect from the major sponsor, on which we are negotiating and I am convinced that we will bring it home. It can be one or two or three, the important thing is that figure. we work on fixing the holes, which I also feel responsible for, I was the president. But if no one asked me for anything….
We work on certain figures, and I am sure that with this budget we will make a good team.
The fans’ protest? It’s not a problem, I was also a senator, I did 7 election campaigns, they wrote anything and everything about me. It’s right for them to vent, we had a string of 8-9 losing games, I didn’t take it well either. Then we play Alba Berlin and give them 50 points with the same players, in sports it happens. I just ask the team to stick together. In sports it happens, you win and you lose. The important thing is to be critical, but always united and cohesive, I will ask the fans today. That way problems are solved and we move forward. I have always been a builder by profession.
Other partners? If there is someone who comes up with a serious offer Carlo and I are also open to negotiating the sale of Virtus. But it must come with serious intent, not for publicity. As of today, Virtus is mine and Carlo Gherardi’s, and we are moving forward quietly. My goal is to do two more years, I hope in the meantime to be there, then I have to find who will make the commitment to take Virtus forward as the company deserves.
The future – We want to keep Virtus a serious and solid company, if someone serious knocks on the door we are ready to talk about divestment, but it has to be someone serious. However, I hope to be still for at least the next two years.
