At 11:30 AM, Virtus Bologna president Massimo Zanetti held a press conference at the Hotel Savoia in Bologna. The event was attended by the three recently resigned board members, as well as Zanetti and general manager Paolo Ronci. Notably absent was Carlo Gherardi.
Addressing the Situation
Zanetti dismissed recent controversy surrounding the club, stating that an “artificial fire” had been created to make Virtus Bologna seem unstable.
“There was never any real issue. We are talking about a club with over 150 years of history, and I have the honor of leading its basketball section. There has been an attempt to portray disorganization and conflict, but I don’t understand why.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the club by bringing in a Bologna-based investor, underlining the need for long-term financial stability.
“At this level, financial solidity is essential. I don’t know how much longer I can continue providing my contribution, which is why I wanted a local partner to come in and reinforce Virtus.”
Zanetti also clarified his relationship with Carlo Gherardi, dismissing claims of internal power struggles.
“Carlo Gherardi and I are great friends. There has never been any attempt at overpowering from his side—on the contrary, he has always helped Virtus, and I thank him for that. I have been proud to support this club for eight years, and I will continue to do so.”
On Luca Baraldi’s Exit and the New Board
Zanetti confirmed that he and his fellow board members resigned to allow for a new board of directors to be formed. This change will likely mean the departure of longtime club executive Luca Baraldi.
“After so many years, it is time for a fresh start. Baraldi will likely no longer be part of the board.”
However, he acknowledged Baraldi’s contributions to Virtus’ success:
“With him, we took Virtus from Serie A2 to winning domestic and European titles—Supercoppa, the league championship, the Champions League. We have won at least one trophy per year, and I can only thank him for his work. But all cycles come to an end.”
The restructuring will see Zanetti remain involved alongside Paolo Ronci, while a key addition will be Dr. Comellini, a longtime associate of Zanetti.
“The future of Virtus will see Comellini managing the administrative side with me, while Ronci will oversee the sporting department. There will no longer be a single figure concentrating all responsibilities. From now on, only Ronci will speak to the press, not Comellini.”
Zanetti also urged journalists to focus on the team rather than off-court controversies:
“Talk about the sport, about the players. Say what you want, but stop speculating about the club. Otherwise, it will end up like it did with [Sergio] Scariolo, whom I let go, or with someone else who will soon be leaving.”
On Media Controversy and Club Stability
Zanetti expressed frustration over the media’s role in recent club turbulence, attributing Virtus’ struggles this season to external distractions.
“This year’s results have been affected by the instability surrounding the club since June. You journalists have stirred up controversy over non-existent issues, perhaps based on misinformation. But there has never been a problem.”
He also defended Virtus’ latest transfer move, pushing back against criticism of the club’s decision to sign an experienced player.
“People said we were making a mistake by signing a 36-year-old who was finished. That is not the case. There needs to be more balance in these discussions. Virtus is a city treasure, and I care about it, maybe even more than you do.”
On the Budget and Financial Planning
Zanetti explained that the club’s financial planning has been carefully managed, with multiple budget revisions over the past year.
“We have already revised our budget four times: in June, September, December, and just a few days ago. A major decision was shutting down the women’s team. With a €23 million budget, we could not sustain a competitive team with just €700,000 less. But then, we made multimillion-euro investments elsewhere.”
He reassured fans that the club remains financially stable, highlighting a recent capital increase.
“Together with Gherardi, we approved a €2.5 million capital increase to ensure financial sustainability until July. We hope to secure additional resources with Comellini to further reduce financial strain.”
Zanetti also criticized Baraldi’s financial calculations, alleging errors.
“These are Baraldi’s numbers, and he miscalculated four times.”
On EuroLeague and the Club’s Future
Zanetti dismissed concerns about Virtus’ relationship with EuroLeague, asserting that the club remains in good standing.
“Ronci has always handled our relations with EuroLeague—Baraldi doesn’t speak English. The financial reports submitted to EuroLeague are prepared by others, not him. Virtus is well-respected in the competition. Otherwise, the only Italian team in EuroLeague would be Milan.”
He reaffirmed Virtus’ goal of maintaining financial discipline while competing at the highest level.
On the Arena Project
Zanetti also addressed the ongoing delays in the construction of Virtus Bologna’s new arena, a topic that has frustrated him for years.
“We first talked about this in 2019. Now it’s 2025, and we are still here. I once mentioned building on Gherardi’s land, and it caused an uproar. I thought I had pushed things forward, but nothing has changed.”
Despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful that the project will eventually be completed.
“The arena remains an essential goal. It requires patience and faith in the future. I hope to be here to see it happen, but I am convinced we will get there.”
Conclusion
Zanetti’s press conference served as a strong statement of intent: Virtus Bologna is financially stable, despite recent media speculation. With a new board of directors and a refined leadership structure, the club aims to move past recent controversies and focus on sporting success. However, questions remain about how the club will navigate this transition and whether the planned structural changes will lead to long-term stability.
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