Milan & Inter Set Sights on New San Siro and NBA-Linked Basketball Venture | OneFootball

San Siro giants Milan and Inter are on the verge of undergoing a historic transition under American ownership. Indeed, Oaktree Capital Management and RedBird are having huge plans for the two Serie A powerhouses.

Milan and Inter recently managed to acquire the San Siro and its surrounding areas. Like many other playing grounds in Italy, the iconic Milanese stadium used to be owned by the city municipality. However, after failing to earn UEFA’s approval to host the 2032 European Championship edition, the San Siro has found itself at risk of being decommissioned.

That prompted the clubs to accelerate plans for getting their hands on the area and lay down the project for a brand-new venue. Milan and Inter are now pushing ahead with a long-term project that could spell the end of the iconic stadium.

The Milanese giants are set to launch the landmark project, with construction of the new San Siro slated to begin in early 2027. Both sides have already outlined their ambition to finish construction in time for the upcoming Euros, set to be co-hosted by Italy and Turkey.

Given San Siro’s iconic status in world football, it would be a pivotal moment to see the stadium replaced, marking the end of an era while ushering in a new chapter for Milan and Inter.

In addition to moving forward with the new stadium, Milan and Inter are also exploring an ambitious NBA-related project. Milan could soon be home to their own basketball team in a new NBA-linked league, as part of a RedBird-led initiative.

The American National Basketball Association is reportedly exploring the launch of a European men’s basketball competition and has enlisted JPMorgan Chase and the Raine Group as strategic advisors. Meanwhile, Rossoneri owner Gerry Cardinale, who runs RedBird, has emerged as one of the key advisors.

Market analysts note that DraftKings odds, well-renowned for providing the best value for a wide range of sports betting markets in the US, already reflect Milan as one of the frontrunners for inclusion, thanks to RedBird’s influence and the city’s commercial pull.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the plan would feature 10–12 permanent franchises in major European cities, combining the NBA’s American-style structure with the reach and appeal of Europe’s leading markets.

Elsewhere, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum confirmed the strategy, explaining that “the initial plan is to have permanent teams in 10-12 cities, mainly in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany – and possibly Turkey and Greece. We are considering a mix of existing clubs, new franchises, and football teams that want to invest in basketball.”

The entry fee is expected to range between €250m and €500m, and European heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Fenerbahce reportedly rank among the likeliest candidates to join the new league.

As for Milan and Inter, they appear to be strongly interested in following their continental rivals into this brand-new era of basketball. For perspective, Oaktree and RedBird view basketball as a growing commercial opportunity to enhance their multi-sport business strategies. However, it’s only an idea for the time being.

If it succeeds, this would be the first time Serie A clubs join a US-style franchise league, integrating European football brands directly into the NBA ecosystem.