Carlo Bonomi, the leading candidate to become the new President of Lega Serie A explains his plan to relaunch the league and admits supporting Inter.
The position as Lega Serie A President has been vacant since Paolo Dal Pino’s resignation earlier this month. Bonomi is the leading candidate for the role. The 55-year-old is the President of Confindustria, the main association representing manufacturing and service companies in Italy.
“I can’t pull back when the sixth industry in the country asks for help,” Bonomi told Il Corriere dello Sport newspaper.
“But one thing must be clear, there must be broad consensus on my candidacy. Otherwise, I’ll stay home.”
What’s his plan to relaunch Serie A?
“Other leagues in Europe have developed, we have stood still. The Premier League makes money with TV rights abroad, we keep the change on YouTube because we do not handle international relations well”.
Many Serie A clubs have been acquired by foreign owners over the last few years. The last one was Atalanta, who sold the 55% stake in the club to American investors, including the co-owner of the Boston Celtics.
“It’s the proof that the market is attractive,” said Bonomi.
“The big funds are also interested because football is an industry with room for improvement. They buy for low fees and they see the potential. However, once they arrive here, they clash with the reality of our sport and administration. They plan to build stadiums in a few years but must deal with Italian bureaucracy. What happened in Florence, Milan and Rome speak for itself.”
How about the Super League? Did he agree with the breakaway plan unveiled – and collapsed – almost one year ago?
“It is the need to grow,” said Bonomi.
“If football remains a stationary market, it is obvious that the more active are looking for alternative markets. It’s elementary economic law. Nobody, not even the clubs that joined the Superleague, wanted to dismantle football.
“The two dimensions, national and international, must be compatible.”
Bonomi also seems open to adopting the play-offs to decide the Serie A winners and relegations.
“American sports are all based on play-offs,” he said.
“The table leaders play at home but are uncertain until the very end. These reforms can and must be done together. If the ‘cake’ does not grow, there are also no resources for supporting the smaller clubs and youth sectors.”
Bonomi also revealed his favourite team, adding that it clearly won’t affect his job if he gets it.
“I support Inter. Everyone has a favourite team, if not, you don’t love football, but remaining independent is something else.”