Bologna, Aug. 26 –
Before the usual crowd bath and the fans’ embrace of the team, Virtus Segafredo Bologa CEO Luca Baraldi met with the Media and Press: There is great satisfaction. That May 14 seemed like the end. An absurd situation, instead we are here celebrating. Then I reassure everyone, Paolo Ronci has verbally renewed his contract with me, who am his CEO. And a two-year contract will be filed very shortly. As for my position, I don’t have to negotiate anything, my contract has expired. Then the shareholders will decide, with the renewal of offices and the approval of the budget. I have done my job, I have no signs that they want to send me away. I thank Infront, thanks to whom we expand to national and international sponsorships. In these days a very important contract has been signed with an Italian operator, which I cannot anticipate yet. Virtus still has a lot of appeal. We want the team to be prepared already for the goal of the Supercoppa, which we will play in Bologna. The new Adidas uniform accompanies us, there is something to be happy about. We have some shortages because Cacok is recovering, but we have structured ourselves to have two guys to help us in training, including Gamble who is beloved by the fans. The company is careful about everything, but we would rather wait an extra month for Cacok than take a chance with new players. It was a considered choice.
Targets? In the league Milano remains the club we compare ourselves with. But let’s not forget Tortona, Trapani – a respectable newcomer – Venice, Brescia. The level of the championship is rising. I have great respect for Milan, I think we have to get along, we are the two Euroleague clubs, an example of Italian basketball.
The Euroleague is very challenging, the goal is to confirm what we did last year. It’s a new team, we have a very motivated group of players, the coach is overloaded, we have great confidence in Luca Banchi.
The Israeli cordate and possible corporate news. The questions should be asked of the shareholders. For my part I can say that it is true that there was negotiation, and it is true that the shareholders and in particular Gherardi had a position of refusal, I think like him, I believe that this company can find the resources in its own territory. Virtus smells like Italy, then foreign capital comes into sports, but we think things can go on like this. Then over time I think things can change – and Dr. Zanetti himself said it won’t be there forever, but right now I don’t see any changes on.
New roster.. The team was made day by day by Paolo Ronci and Luca Banchi. What all the goals were achieved, at one point we dealt with Napier, but we did not match as economic conditions. Nor did we want to have too many roosters in the henhouse. Morgan was a prospect choice, not a second choice. The same kind of choice made with Tucker and Grazulis. We didn’t give up anything beyond the budget. And the shareholders gave the okay for an extra budget over the original forecast. I thank many businessmen in Bologna who, when the news came out about Segafredo leaving, increased their sponsorship on their own initiative, up to 10 times over last year. I did not expect this and I thank them. The affection of the people and business community in Bologna is really great. The season ticket campaign was also impressive, +40% compared to expectations. Now I expect a response from the team on the field and from the public.
The Naldi case? I met him, he was here for several years and I was treated by him. I feel very sorry for him, but the world goes on, and honest, decent people-even if they stumble over a few pebbles-recover quickly and with great satisfaction.
Renato Albonico’s anniversary. Thoughts to him and to all the people who love Virtus. One never forgets those who have been close.
New arena. According to what Fiera di Bologna tells us everything is going as planned, it will be ready by September 2026. However, we are not actors in the construction, but we will be tenants, we are staying with what the Fair tells us, with whom we have a very good relationship anyway.
