Gianni Petrucci smiles with his eyes, which become two slits like when he is truly happy. The moment is warm, perhaps cathartic. His is the smile, well known by the public, of someone who has been a sports manager for almost sixty years (including 14 at the helm of CONI: an absolute record) and now, as president of Federbasket, he is about to welcome the great project that will relaunch, perhaps towards stellar dimensions, Italian and European, but also Roman, basketball.
Petrucci, then is it true that the NBA, i.e. the basketball tournament and one of the best-known brands in the world, is coming to us?
«Of course, it’s done now. In fact, I’d say it’s official. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said it some time ago. The European leaders of Fiba, the world federation, confirmed it to me the other day: the general secretary Bertea and I spoke with the president Garbajosa and the executive director Novak. The NBA’s adventure in Europe starts in 2027. A championship with 16 teams, some permanent and others that enter for sporting merit; the obligation to participate in their championships and the players available for the national teams. With all the great capitals of Europe. So also with Rome, in Italy, as well as Milan.”
Felice?
“By force. The popularity of NBA basketball is enormous, anywhere in the world there are two events that have a safe space on TV: Formula 1 and the NBA. This project involving Europe confirms the importance of our sport. And starting from the big football teams: Manchester, London, Paris will be involved because PSG has confirmed its interest, like Munich with Bayern, which already has a great basketball team. Then Istanbul, Athens, Madrid and perhaps even Barcelona.”
Then here we are Italians. It is said that many are interested in Milan: Armani basketball but also Inter and AC Milan. Then Rome.
«Rome and Milan are certainly the only two Italian cities that are included in the project. It also appears to me that in Milan, and for some time now, many things have been moving, perhaps around the names you mentioned. But we also have great entrepreneurs in Rome, there is concrete interest. In our city there are important realities, even if at the moment the teams are not at the top of Italian basketball: I’m talking about Virtus, Luiss and Stella EBK who have solid ownership behind them. And the NBA’s arrival cannot help but be seen as an opportunity. The thing is progressing, let’s see where it will go.”
Then there is Roma football, with American owner Dan Friedkin who recently attempted to buy the Boston Celtics. Is it possible to see him linked to the NBA project?
«As far as I know, I am not yet aware of any direct involvement. But it is certainly an important name and nothing should be discarded.”
There would also be the possibility that a team that already exists elsewhere would come to play in Rome, and which could cede its sporting title to the capital’s franchise. In any case, the problem of the facility to host the matches arises: for now there doesn’t seem to be one in Rome.
«I spoke with Sport&Salute, that is, with Diego Nepi and Marco Mezzaroma: they guaranteed me that the Centrale of the Foro Italico, which incidentally was built when I was president of CONI, will have coverage by summer 2027. After all, he already played volleyball on the Centrale a few years ago; basketball, on the other hand, cannot take place outdoors and a roof is needed.”
And will the capacity be sufficient?
«From what we know, yes: at least in the beginning, even 10,000 plants will do well. Then there is also the possibility of re-adapting the Palaeur to basketball. And I believe that in Rome there are entrepreneurs who, together with the Municipality, could build new structures. Instead, in Milan the Santa Giulia facility could be used, where there will be ice hockey for the next Olympics.”
What budget will be needed to support the costs of a team in NBA Europe?
«It will certainly require a large-scale investment. But basketball is now so global that it will be worth it: it is a sport practiced in 215 nations in the world and the first in more than 40 nations. Now South Sudan also has players in the NBA, like the Philippines, and they are people who earn 25-30 million in wages. Finland has just reached the semi-finals of the last European Championships. The whole world plays basketball, almost like football which will always remain the first in Italy: surpassing it in terms of ratings and public interest is a pious illusion of other sports, which perhaps temporarily overtake. But the definitive one will never happen.”
And will our basketball go to the World Cup?
«I have a lot of faith in the women, who did very well with the bronze at the European Championships. As for the men, I have faith in coach Banchi: he beat Lithuania, which has never happened. Of course, we lost to Iceland, but it can happen: even Italy’s football team lost to Norway and that time to Sweden, right?”
It’s part of the cycles of life, and of sport. It happens. But perhaps not to everyone: for example, she is always in command…
«Yes, only for me there is no period, ha ha».
And how beautiful it is to laugh, now not just with your eyes.
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