Umberto Gandini pampers Olimpia and Virtus
The words of Umberto Gandini
Interviewed by Andrea Tosi in “La Gazzetta dello Sport”, Basketball League President Umberto Gandini commented on the growth in spectator figures (3968 on average, an increase of’11% over the previous season) inside the arenas: “I am very happy to see that the numerical results, for me still partial, reveal a newfound enthusiasm bringing basketball back to where it deserves in the history and culture of Italian sport. But I consider this work an intermediate step toward a more comprehensive development model. The data certify that all the initiatives taken by the league and clubs since the pandemic have borne good fruit. È a good spur to continue in this direction. As president, I want to emphasize the commitment of all the clubs to want to improve themselves by offering a more appealing product that goes beyond the results aspect. By now, every match is experienced as an entertainment in which we breathe the fans’ will to share an enjoyable show. The side dish è has become important and with the Italian Cup finals we will have the highest peak of this trend. Of course, we should also emphasize the great uncertainty that reigns in the league that has become more ù balanced. With many games open to any outcome. Everyone likes the balance”.
The president also pointed out that the so-called duopoly Milan – Bologna is raising the level of the entire championship: “Although during my presidency the scudettoè always been a fact between Virtus and Olimpia, I have never considered this rivalryà against all the other teams a vulnus. On the contrary, the example of the two bigs has pushed the competition to raise the bar. Now they all want to compete, no one resigns to giving in at the first difficulties. We have moved closer to the Spanish model with two historic bigs like Barcelona and Real having to watch out for many rivals ready to beat them".
Finally, Gandini addressed the issue of facilities in Italy and their reduced capacity, which could slow down this growth: “None of us has the magic wand to transform Italian facilities. But this new wave of fans, with many young people, can push those capable of political and economic influence to do something. The government as well as private individuals. Meanwhile, we will soon have new sports arenas in Tortona and Venice. Something is moving. I però also look at the occupancy rate of the facilities, which for basketball comes today to 73 percent. The’future goal? The current arena capacities penalize larger inflows, but I would be happy if the fill rate reaches 85 percent. Theì canò still be improved”.
