Rome has gained two basketball teams in the Italian top tier for the current season, featuring investments from NBA star Luka Doncic and Hall-of-Fame coach Mike D’Antoni, alongside a competing project backed by an American entrepreneur, as reported by the Nordsee-Zeitung.
The Return of Basketball to the Eternal City
The Italian capital spent five years without a top-flight men’s basketball club following the bankruptcy and withdrawal of the historic Virtus Roma team from Serie A. That absence ended abruptly with the arrival of two distinct clubs securing first-division licenses for the ongoing campaign, according to local reporting.
BC Roma SPQR and High-Profile Backing
The newly formed BC Roma SPQR drew immediate attention across European sports circles due to its ownership group. Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and veteran coach Mike D’Antoni are among the investors backing the ambitious project.
Both BC Roma SPQR and their local rivals share an explicit ambition to reach the EuroLeague as quickly as possible. To secure their places in Italy’s top tier, the two newly minted Roman projects acquired the Serie A licenses previously held by Vanoli Cremona and Leonessa Brescia.
Impact on Cremona and Brescia
Fans of Vanoli Cremona and Leonessa Brescia now watch their respective clubs compete in the second and third divisions of Italian basketball.
Ambitions for European Competition
Rome’s dual-club surge alters the landscape of Italian professional basketball by placing two ambitious franchises directly into the Serie A hierarchy. Both ownership groups intend to leverage their financial backing and high-profile associations to build rosters capable of competing in continental tournaments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rome lack a Serie A basketball team for five years?
The capital’s traditional club, Virtus Roma, withdrew from Serie A and filed for bankruptcy five years ago, leaving the city without a representative in the highest division until this season.
How did the new Roman clubs secure their places in Serie A?
BC Roma SPQR and Maxima Roma acquired the top-flight league licenses previously belonging to Vanoli Cremona and Leonessa Brescia.
What are the primary athletic goals for the new Roman teams?
Both ownership groups have stated their intention to transition into the EuroLeague as rapidly as possible.
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