“I'm not trying to Americanize AC Milan”. Word of Gerry Cardinaleowner of the club through Red Bird. In the long study dedicated by Harvard University to the Rossoneri, Cardinale explains his project like this: “I'm trying to introduce some American elements that can take Milan to the next level in a constructive way. I'm also focusing more attention on Serie A. I'm curious to see how we can help them negotiate international media deals.
In the United States there is a different relationship between team owners and leagues. There are multiple levels here – Serie A, the Italian Football Federation, UEFA, FIFA… That's where the learning curve is for me. In my house I could have done all this with my eyes closed.”
During the study, Cardinale also talks about the scudetto won byInter last season just before the end of the Zhang era: even if the Rossoneri owner mentions the Nerazzurri club directly, the reference is more likely to be understood to the previous ownership: “Winning championships is obviously an important objective. But you have to balance that with 'winning smart.' Inter won the scudetto last year and then went bankrupt, is this really what we want? For the fans, my job is to win the Italian championship every year – I understand that. For my investors who focus on final value appreciation, my job is to position AC Milan to fight for the scudetto every year, qualify for the Champions League every year, and go as far as possible in the Champions League every year – this is what maximizes cash flow and brand value. It is consistency and less breadth in performance volatility that maximizes value and ultimately longevity.”
