Varese, Italy – Antonio “Toto” Bulgheroni, the long-time president of Pallacanestro Varese, recently shared stories from a remarkable life in basketball during the 20th episode of “Luci a Masnago” on Radio Materia. The 82-year-old Bulgheroni discussed the current state of the Openjobmetis team, but also reminisced about encounters with basketball legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and David Stern and his deep connection to the city of Varese.
The podcast, now available for streaming, offered a glimpse into Bulgheroni’s extensive network and experiences within the sport. He spoke with hosts Damiano Franzetti, Francesco Brezzi, and Matteo Bettoni about his journey as both a successful entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for basketball.
A key topic of discussion revolved around the team’s recent performance and the contributions of key players. Bulgheroni praised the professionalism of Freeman, stating, “Freeman has trained with incredible professionalism these past months. He’s a very good player, and I’m convinced he’ll be able to contribute significantly in the final stretch of the championship.” He also highlighted the work of coach Kastritis, noting his progress in building team fluidity and offensive solutions.
Bulgheroni also spoke about his close relationship with Luis Scola, emphasizing their shared understanding of the game. “Luis has a more international long-term vision than I do, but we have many affinities, starting with the fact that we always see the games in the same way. We’ve never had differing opinions or different visions about what happened,” he explained.
The conversation also touched on the club’s current operations, with Bulgheroni highlighting their innovative scouting and analysis system. He stated that despite financial constraints, Pallacanestro Varese is managing its budget effectively, achieving near-balance even as increasing revenue and investing in the team.
One particularly captivating anecdote involved a vacation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bulgheroni recounted how Richard Percudani, his former coach at All’Onestà Milano, who had also coached Abdul-Jabbar in high school, invited the NBA legend to Italy. “He arrived in Milan and joined me and others like Marino Zanatta, Giancarlo Mauri, and Renato Albonico. We traveled around Italy and Switzerland. He was a shy guy, but a deliberate shyness, shielded by people’s curiosity at seeing someone almost 2.20 meters tall,” Bulgheroni recalled. He shared that Abdul-Jabbar would recognize him at NBA All-Star Games and greet him, and that Abdul-Jabbar remembered him even years later at David Stern’s funeral, exclaiming, “Toto Bulgheroni!”
The discussion then turned to David Stern, the former NBA commissioner, with whom Bulgheroni shared a close friendship. “He introduced me to Jerry Colangelo when we organized the first tournament in Europe with NBA teams, the Nets and the Suns. A great friendship blossomed, and David invited me to the All-Star Game for 25 years. He said I was his consultant for Europe, but he knew much more than I did,” Bulgheroni said. He described a memorable experience helping Stern move offices, offering a glimpse into the commissioner’s life and dedication to the game.
Bulgheroni also reflected on the support of his family, noting his different relationships with his children regarding their involvement with the team. Edo has re-engaged with the club, renting a skybox, while Tony distanced himself after an incident following a championship win. Despite these differences, Bulgheroni emphasized that Pallacanestro Varese has been a positive part of their lives.
Expressing his pride in his 20-year tenure with Pallacanestro Varese, Bulgheroni acknowledged the challenges, including periods of relegation and rebuilding. He highlighted the satisfaction of convincing Luis Scola to join the club and the joy of seeing the arena filled with fans, as well as encountering passionate supporters even during away games. He recounted meeting a fan from Reggio Emilia who only attended games on the road, saying, “In Varese, there are already 5,000 of you cheering, so I come to cheer away from home.”
Listeners can also access the “Dal Parquet” podcast, dedicated to last Sunday’s match between Openjobmetis and Nutribullet Treviso.
Bulgheroni’s reflections offer a unique perspective on the world of basketball, blending personal anecdotes with insights into the business and passion that drive the sport. His long-standing commitment to Pallacanestro Varese and his relationships with iconic figures like Abdul-Jabbar and Stern underscore a lifetime dedicated to the game.
Pallacanestro Varese will continue its season with upcoming matches. Fans can stay updated on the team’s schedule and results through the official team website and social media channels.
