Lega Serie A President Paolo Dal Pino believes Italian football is on the right track with two fundamental changes, a media company and stadium restructuring laws.
Today, the Lega Serie A voted unanimously with all 20 clubs to create a global media company that will help negotiate and sell TV and commercial rights around the world.
Lega Serie A President Paolo Dal Pino believes Italian football is on the right track with two fundamental changes, a media company and stadium restructuring laws.
Today, the Lega Serie A voted unanimously with all 20 clubs to create a global media company that will help negotiate and sell TV and commercial rights around the world.
This week, the Senate in Italy will vote to pass a change in the laws which currently limit restructuring of old stadiums or the building of new arenas, which should end the impasse for clubs including Fiorentina, Roma, Milan and Inter.
“Tomorrow’s law is a mandatory step to relaunch our football,” said Dal Pino in a press conference.
“Italian stadiums need to be modernised and the red tape has to be simplified to keep up with the pace set by other European leagues.
“Top level stadiums can also allow us to create a better product of our football that can then be sold.”
Of course, right now the stadiums are all shut because of the COVID pandemic, and the Government’s latest decree ruled there cannot be fans present at least until October.
“Another issue we approached with the FIGC and Government today was regarding access to stadiums and the medical protocol,” continued Dal Pino.
“It is absurd that up to 1,000 people can be allowed in to watch a friendly, but nobody for an official match. Health comes first, prudence is important, but it has to be done right.
“In a stadium that holds 80,000 people, how can you not allow at least some supporters in with social distancing? We cannot continue to play behind closed doors.”
When it comes to the media company creation, Dal Pino discussed the need for this revolutionary step in Italy, one that is very common elsewhere.
“Football is also entertainment and the creation of content. Speaking to important international media managers, I realised we have to take hold of our own destiny and to do that, we need investment in resources and new structures.
“It’s a colossal challenge, technology has changed everything. The Lega Serie A for many years worked with intermediaries, but it’s not enough, we have to keep that value in-house.
“Just 10 years ago, Serie A was second in Europe’s top leagues, now we have fallen behind the Bundesliga and La Liga. We need financial stability right now, because it’s a delicate time, so we need a business approach and right now, we don’t have that.”