Gianni Petrucci spoke at length to Corriere della Sera, discussing several issues surrounding the present and future of Italian sport. The FIP president also addressed NBA Europe and its relationship with EuroLeague and FIBA. Finally, he spoke about the Italian national team and plans to bring the Azzurri back to Rome. Here is an excerpt from the interview.
Is it true that the FIP has good reasons to complain about the government?
“I don’t want you to make me fight with everyone?”
So it doesn’t?
“Yes, it does.”
Would you like to tell us what they are?
“Let’s start with a premise: I have always said that I have esteem and trust in Abodi. And I confirm that. But I would like to ask the minister three questions.”
Go ahead.
“First: why aren’t we getting back the money from sports betting that Petrucci, as president of CONI, allocated to the federations? Second: what happened to the promises regarding the tax credit? Third: what happened to the promise regarding the Growth Decree, the tax credit, as was done for cinema?”
Are you expecting answers?
“I expect declarations to be followed by action. And then there is another thing, which I consider absurd, inconceivable.”
What is that?
“The unacceptable payment of around €432,000 for the financial oversight of professional clubs. We only have sixteen professional clubs.”
Isn’t that the result of moving to a single independent external company for both you and football?
“Of course, and I was among those in favor of this move. But with Comtec we paid around €80,000; now we have reached this figure. How were these calculations made? How are they justified? Can I feel a little like the ‘Marchese del Grillo’?”
You have the floor.
“There you go, that’s how I feel!”
Shall we talk about the season getting underway?
“Much better, that way I can relax a little.”
Are you sure? Are we certain that sixteen teams will start the season and that sixteen teams will make it to the end?
“That is a question to which no federation president can give a certain answer. The government authority has control over this, so the question should be addressed to them: they are the ones who carry out the checks.”
Another issue: two clubs born in Rome from nothing in place of two other clubs that disappeared or were forced to restart from the lower divisions.
“I’ll ask the question myself: do Petrucci and the federation have the power to stop an owner who wants to leave his own city and move elsewhere? The answer is no, they don’t. The fact that two teams have been created in Rome, however, should remind us that NBA Europe has been created. Along with Formula 1, NBA is the most important sports brand in the world. Bring it on. So this is how I see it: this is the championship that opens the door to the future.”
Just out of curiosity: why wasn’t there all this enthusiasm for NBA Europe years ago with EuroLeague, which was instead treated as a competitor?
“It’s simple: because with NBA Europe there will be a rapprochement. There is a negotiation underway. Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, and Chus Bueno, CEO of EuroLeague, have said that they will meet. And sooner or later an agreement will be reached. Never forget that we federations depend on FIBA.”
Aren’t you afraid that NBA will take over everything?
“I am not afraid of progress or the future. At 81 years old, I still dream about the future.”
And how do you see the future of the Azzurri?
“I see the great success of the women’s team, which, despite not winning the World Cup, did great things. I see the success we had with the crowds. In the men’s game, we are in the race for qualification. Luca Banchi is a confirmation every day. And Capobianco, too… Andrea Capobianco and Luca Banchi are among the best coaches in the world. And then there is the competition we have in basketball, which no other sport has.”
Any ideas for the future?
“We are working to bring the national team back to Rome. The idea is to play the game against Turkey in Rome, at the PalaEur, and on that occasion remember Giorgio Armani, a great friend of our sport. And it will be great to do it in a packed arena.”
Is this a sign that you want to start thinking big again?
“Even though we have not always succeeded, we have never stopped doing so.”
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