Milan, Gerry Cardinale: “I will build a 20,000-seat arena in San Donato, I want a team in NBA Europe”

The RedBird fund chief’s plan to enter the world of NBA basketball, which is about to launch in Europe.

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale discussed more than the derby, on-pitch matters, transfer decisions and the confirmation of Ruben Amorim in a lengthy interview with Repubblica. The head of RedBird Capitals, the fund that controls and owns AC Milan, also addressed facilities and development, revealing an important detail about the future of the site purchased in San Donato.

Following yesterday's presentation of the new Generali Stadium, the US executive outlined plans to build the Arena on that land with a view to joining NBA Europe.

The new Generali Stadium

The new stadium was unveiled yesterday.

"A statement to the world: we’re doing everything we can to return. When we’ve finished, I’d like to take the group of professionals working on it, set up a company and make it available to Serie A to help other clubs build or renovate their stadiums. We need to improve the product. When I speak to American TV distributors, they tell me they only want the Premier League and the Champions League. That’s a problem."

Serie A is like Hollywood before Netflix: it has been swept away

He has a warning for Serie A.

"Serie A is like Hollywood before Netflix. Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros were convinced of their superiority. Then Netflix came along and swept them aside. Italian football must understand why it is no longer the Premier League. Without change, there will be no return to winning."

I’m buying a house in Milan

You're often in Milan these days: have you settled in?

“I'm thinking of buying a house here. I'd like to enjoy the city, stroll along Montenapoleone.”

Future of the San Donato area

What will you do with San Donato?

"We have everything in place to begin work on a 20,000-seat NBA Europe arena. We want to be involved with a franchise in Milan. I also have ambitions in tennis."