Monaco and Virtus burst onto the scene of Euroleague transfers as the new rich thanks to the investment of their owners
The only possible way to get your head in the current Euroleague is under the protection of money. This is what the organization itself has been publicly recognizing, which requires its participants to have a minimum budget of 7 million and hardly leaves room for new projects among its 13 teams with a fixed license. A first-class level to which Monaco and Virtus de Bologna, two of the great investment centers of European basketball, want to climb.
20 million acknowledged having at his disposal the sports director of the Principality Oleksiy Yefimov. Six more than last year, with whom in their first season in the continental competition they fought to enter the Final Four until the fifth game in Piraeus. Although still above is the Virtus, which returns to the Euroleague with a budget of 25 million according to its president Massimo Zanetti in the Gazzetta dello Sport.
They are two clubs with certain similarities. Almost centenarians (Monaco was founded in 1928, Virtus in 1929), with a grim recent past in the second division (those of La Roca in 2015, those of Bologna in 2017) and winners of the last two editions of the Eurocup. The only sporting merits that the Euroleague values and the graphic representation that money does not bring happiness, but it brings you closer to it.
Fertilizer and coffee
The investment comes from before. The support of Fedcom, the world leader in the fertilizer and fertilizer sector, and the country’s own Government now swell the coffers of Monaco, which in 2014 began to receive capital from the Ukrainian tycoon Sergey Dyadechko, now dedicated solely to sports issues. Virtus, for its part, has the financial muscle of Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, the world’s largest private coffee company made up of brands as powerful as Segafredo, after which its pavilion is named.
The 74-year-old Italian businessman, with a past in politics, entered the club strongly in 2016, at which time Virtus descended with a young Fontecchio in their ranks. He rose the following year, won the Champions League in 2019 and began to secure his own weight names like Teodosic or Bellinelli. The final blow was given last season, with the return of Sergio Scariolo to the bench and the signings of Hackett and Shengelia in the middle of the course.
This summer they have managed to keep the former Baskonia captain, they have strengthened their inside game with Jordan Mickey (Zenit) and Ismael Bako (Manresa) and they have made a show of power with the signing of Iffe Lundberg, who returns from the NBA to earn three million in two seasons. Crown jewel. In the Principality, the physique of the squad and the solidity in the medium term is frightening. Mike James (2024). Strazel (2025), Okobo (2024), Loyd (2024), Alpha Diallo (2025), Jaron Blossomgame (2023), John Brown III (2024), Donta Hall (2025), Adrien Moerman (2023), and Donatas Motiejunas (2024 ). And they want Ponitka to complete the outside game.
The visible heads of the projects
Oleksiy Yefimov | Sporting director Monaco
“The goal is to become shareholders”
Despite the arrival to the presidency of Aleksej Fedoricsev, owner of Fedcom, the Russian maintains confidence in the Ukrainian Oleksiy Yefimov (36 years old). «The objective is to become shareholders of the Euroleague. We have to show that we are a solid project with a long-term vision », he admitted this week to endorse his work in the offices. With the notable advantage of the tax policy of the Principality and the full support of the Government. “They want to contribute more but the Fair Play rules prevent shareholders from injecting more than 50% of the budget.”
Massimo Zanetti | Owner of Virtus of Bologna
«We will do everything possible to reach the Final Four»
“It will be difficult”. The owner of the Virtus de Bologna does not hide it. “But we will do everything possible to finish in the top four of the Euroleague,” recently expressed the ambitious Massimo Zanetti, who is following his promise to the letter. “We play to win, always, but this season more because we risk our lives to continue for more years.” The businessman is known for his temperamental character. He maintains a constant crusade with Armani Milan that predicts hot derbies and dismissed Djordjevic to reinstate him the next day.
