VARESE, Italy – The ambition of Pallacanestro Varese to secure a spot in the nascent NBA Europe league is gaining momentum, moving beyond speculation and into the realm of concrete possibility. Recent reports confirm a growing alignment between team executive Luis Scola and RedBird Capital Partners founder Gerry Cardinale, signaling a serious bid to bring a franchise to the historic Italian basketball city.
The pursuit of a place in NBA Europe, a project envisioned by the NBA in collaboration with FIBA to expand its footprint in Europe, has taken an unexpected turn with Varese emerging as a frontrunner. This development follows unsuccessful initial attempts by Cardinale’s RedBird to acquire a controlling stake in Olimpia Milano, currently competing in the EuroLeague.
According to reporting from La Prealpina, a local newspaper closely following the team, Pallacanestro Varese submitted a non-binding expression of interest to become a founding franchise in the new league before the March 31st deadline. The application was presented with the backing of RedBird Capital Partners, a significant investment firm already known in Italy as the owner of AC Milan. Approximately 120 applications were reportedly received by the league.
The connection between Scola and Cardinale appears to be rooted in a shared vision for the potential of NBA Europe as a lucrative business venture. La Prealpina notes that the two leaders share “formation imprenditoriale e cultura aziendale” – a similar entrepreneurial mindset and business culture – that aligns with the goals of the new league. Scola has long viewed NBA Europe as a potential pathway for growth, despite the challenges presented by Varese’s relatively smaller market and limited financial resources compared to other potential contenders.
The initial strategy for NBA Europe involved targeting major cities and establishing franchises linked to well-known brands, potentially with new, state-of-the-art arenas. However, the failure to reach an agreement with Olimpia Milano prompted a shift in focus towards Varese. The club’s rich basketball history and strong local identity make it an appealing alternative.
One intriguing proposal gaining traction is the concept of a “dual franchise” model. This would involve maintaining the existing Pallacanestro Varese team competing in the Italian Serie A league, while simultaneously establishing a separate NBA Europe franchise based in Milan. This structure would allow the team to meet the NBA Europe requirement of continued participation in a domestic league without compromising Varese’s established identity.
Infrastructure is, of course, a key consideration. RedBird already owns land in San Donato Milanese earmarked for a new 18,000-seat arena, initially intended for AC Milan. However, an alternative plan is also under consideration: utilizing a facility near Malpensa Airport in Busto Arsizio, offering convenient access and established transportation links.
The move towards Varese represents a significant development in the evolving landscape of European basketball. The NBA’s ambition to establish a permanent presence in Europe has been met with both excitement and skepticism, particularly given the existing structure of the EuroLeague. The involvement of a major investment firm like RedBird, coupled with the leadership of Scola, lends considerable weight to Varese’s bid.
The next steps for Pallacanestro Varese and RedBird involve further developing their proposal and awaiting a response from the NBA regarding the selection of founding franchises. While the path forward remains uncertain, the current momentum suggests that Varese is a serious contender to become one of the first teams to compete in NBA Europe. The league is expected to announce its initial franchises in the coming months, setting the stage for a potential revolution in European basketball.
Fans in Varese and throughout Italy will be watching closely as this story unfolds, hoping to observe their team take its place on the global stage.
