Milan president Paolo Scaroni discussed the economic concerns facing Italian clubs, the importance of TV rights and the status of Rafael Leao’s new contract.
The Rossoneri broke their decade-long dry spell in Serie A last season after Stefano Pioli guided the team to their first Scudetto since the days of Massimiliano Allegri. Milan also returned to the Champions League and this season they’ve booked their spot in the Round of 16 against Tottenham, showing the team’s growth after a difficult 10-year spell.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Scaroni first discussed how Italian clubs need to economically navigate the world of modern football.
“In Italy we have set ourselves as a model. Elliott was a responsible shareholder who nevertheless made the necessary capital increases and invested heavy sums: over €700m. He has been a forerunner, in a certain sense obliged.
“All football will go like this, it is no longer the time of the patron president with a large portfolio. Financial Fair Play requires it. In Italy we consider it logical to ‘lose’ in the budget, but it should be the opposite. Bayern Munich has been making money for almost 30 consecutive years.
“Football is a machine, money is the petrol. The ideological debate is sterile, football, the league, doesn’t want to pity anyone but it should. Without money, you stop the machine. You don’t compete, you stop the system, to have ambition you need resources.”
The Rossoneri president then commented on how clubs can increase their revenue, the importance of TV rights and why the two Milanese clubs are pushing for a new stadium.
“The Champions League is too important to ‘feed’ our 550 million sympathizers, some of whom are also here in Dubai and the Emirates. It is almost more so than a Scudetto. So, my two battles are for the new stadium and for international TV rights.
“Usual example, if we earn €35-40m a year from the San Siro, Bayern collects at least three times as much. A beautiful, modern, full, floodlit stadium, a key show to sell TV rights abroad, and consequently to attract sponsors.
“La Liga gets four times what the Serie A club’s get. Real Madrid, like us, has a partnership with Emirates, yet it grosses much more because outside Spain it can sell itself better.
“As do the others: the Premier League sells worldwide for €2 billion, we sell for €200m. We need to grow, starting precisely with new facilities. The conservative method in football is tantamount to shooting ourselves in the foot.”
He provided an update on the status of Inter and Milan’s new stadium project.
“The public debate is over and, in a few weeks, we’re waiting for the report from the municipality. If they suggest feasible changes, we will execute that. If they ask for disruptions, no thanks.
“We have thought of a different facility, with two rings and developed vertically, to allow optimal viewing from all positions, that is why it could hold 65,000 to 70,000 spectators.
“In parallel we are following other paths, one leads to Sesto San Giovanni, but it is not the only one. Where it is unblocked first, we will proceed.”
Finally, Scaroni made a brief comment regarding the Leao situation and his new contract.
“They tell me that in Milan and at Milan he is very well off, that he is motivated. I know that Maldini is negotiating with him and as far as I just said if he negotiates, I’m calm.”
Maldini has a scary record when it comes to renewals, we’re doomed
Maldini has always had a budget to work with. What do you want him to do print money?
I want him to sell ungrateful players on time rather losing for free