AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni is confident that the Italian Serie A club’s plans to build a new 60,000-seat stadium, to be shared with city rival Inter, will not get derailed by political opposition.
The two clubs previously announced plans for a new stadium and adjacent entertainment complex to replace the San Siro, which would be converted into a venue for amateur sports and other events.
Milan’s municipal elections are scheduled to take place in October, but Scaroni is confident that the future political administration will not scupper the proposals.
“In Milan, now, we are in the electoral era, but I don’t see anyone opposing it,” he said. “Not the city council, which has studied the project carefully and reconfirmed its intention to proceed with the green light after we completed 16 different requests.
“The opposition also seems favourable. I hope for a quick approval because two years have already passed since the presentation of the project and things are being done in Milan.”
Scaroni also highlighted the ongoing challenge facing Milan in terms of competing with European rivals in the matchday revenue stakes. This has been exacerbated by pandemic-related restrictions imposed by the Italian government, which has capped attendances at 50% of stadium capacities.
“Pre-pandemic, Milan collected less than €40m (per season) from the stadium,” Scaroni said. “The competitors that we will find in the Champions League exceed €100m. It doesn’t escape me that in Germany, France and England they are 100% open. We hope to get there too.”
However, Scaroni also spoke of his optimism surrounding the club’s financial outlook.
“I can say that the 21-22 result is better than that of 20-21, which was better than 19-20,” he added. “Our goal is to have a Milan that generates cash: we are beginning to see it. We have entered into 20 new partnerships.”
Image: Jose Luis Hidalgo R./CC BY 2.0/Edited for size
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