The proposed reform aims to unify the 16 clubs of Serie A and the 20 clubs of Serie A2 under a hybrid franchise model inspired by the NBA and Euroleague.
Bologna Summit Targets 2029/30 Franchise Transition
The core objective of the reform is to secure the long-term economic stability and regulatory strength of participating clubs through structured investments. While the exact criteria remain under discussion, league organizers aim to establish a stable professional framework where corporate planning is resilient, while allowing well-capitalized entities to acquire franchises facing financial distress.
Most Serie A and Serie A2 clubs are reportedly leaning toward accepting the structural shift. However, league officials acknowledge that assessing which current A2 clubs possess the financial muscle to sustain such a transition presents a substantial challenge.
Hybrid Franchise Structure and Competitive Balance
Unlike the completely closed American NBA model, the proposed Italian franchise system will operate as a hybrid. Participation will rely on stable organizational and economic management rather than solely on athletic results from the preceding season. The coming months of debate will determine whether the league enforces a fixed number of participants, specific stability criteria, licensing fees, and mechanisms to preserve competitive balance.
Despite initial discussions regarding the total elimination of relegation, legal opinions from CONI advised against a completely closed league, citing Italian sporting culture. Consequently, relegation is expected to be halved, resulting in one team dropping from Serie A and one from Serie A2 into the Serie B Nazionale.
Economic Shifts in Serie A2 Tax and Guarantees
The financial landscape for Serie A2 clubs will change significantly under the proposed rules. Clubs currently operate under a 27% contribution regime established by the sports labor legislation introduced via Legislative Decree 25/2021, paired with a €100,000 bank guarantee. The reform proposes raising the contribution rate to 39% while doubling the required bank guarantees. League officials will address potential salary caps at a later stage.
All 36 clubs across Serie A and Serie A2 will hold full professional status, reducing the total combined pool to 32 teams in the short term. France remains the only other European nation with a fully professional second division, a model Italy abandoned in 2013 when Serie A2 dropped professional status due to unsustainable costs.
Entry requirements also mandate specific arena standards, requiring Serie A2 clubs to play in venues with a minimum seating capacity between 2mila and 3mila. Furthermore, teams cannot relocate their sporting title from their home city for at least three years. Location logistics—such as proximity to airports, train stations, and motorways—alongside rigorous marketing, ticketing, and merchandising standards, will dictate franchise eligibility as profitability becomes a foundational metric.
Restructuring Serie B Nazionale and LNP Oversight
The Serie B Nazionale will contract from 36 to 32 teams, functioning primarily as a developmental amateur competition. Roster regulations will likely focus on limiting the number of over-age players rather than mandating a strict minimum of under-23 athletes. To foster competitiveness, professional clubs will fund a prize pool worth up to mezzo milione di euro for the ultimate champion.
The future administrative role of the Lega Nazionale Pallianzeto (LNP) remains under review. The organization will either retain management of the Serie A2 clubs or scale down to oversee Serie B Nazionale, potentially absorbing the interregional Serie B currently managed by the regional committees of the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP).
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