Founded in 1930 as Dopolavoro Borletti, the Italian basketball club showed quick success winning their first Italian League championship in 1936 followed by three more consecutive championships until 1939. A Milan businessman by the name of Adolfo Bogoncelli merged Pallacanestro Como and Borletti to form “Borolimpia,” also becoming the first sponsor in the history of Italian sport. After nine Italian League Championships, the Borletti brand left the Olimpia Milano jerseys in 1955. From 1955 to 1973, Olimpia Milano collected only one more Italian League Championship in addition to a FIBA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Milano boasts having many great names in their organization. Some include Dino Meneghin, regarded as the best Italian player of all time, Mike D’Antoni, long time coach of Various NBA teams, and Bob McAdoo, a two-time finals winner, five time all-star, and the 1975 NBA MVP. Mike D'Antoni (#8) and Dino Meneghin (#11) have both had their numbers retired with the club as they hang in the rafters of the Mediolanum Forum.
Olimpia Milano has had fairly inconsistent ownership throughout the years, but big names like Kobe Bryant (who had lived all throughout Italy for seven years in his youth) and Giorgio Armani (Designer Fashion Mogul) both threw their hats in the ring for sponsorship and ownership in 2005. In 2007, Giorgio Armani bought the team as the sole owner, changing the management structure dramatically. Hence, the sponsorship and team name “EA7 Emporio Armani Milan” was born.
Since 2008, the team has dominated their respective league but failed to bring home an Italian League Championship for a 16 year drought until 2013, winning their 26th Italian League Championship title.
I'm curious to see if the legacy of this team will bring in stars to eventually help them get back to contending status. It's been nearly four and a half decades since they won the EuroLeague, and it's getting to the point where the legitimacy and prestige of the club should be questioned as their competitors continue to show that they are not worthy of being considered one of the top clubs in the league. I'd like to see them spend a bit more money this off season, maybe you could talk about something relating to their cap, payroll, and luxury spending as it pertains to the last few seasons? Might paint a better picture to help explain why lately the team has not been as successful as it used to be.
ReplyDeleteYes we agree as well. When we were initially doing research on the team it looked as though they were regarded as a legacy team, but as of recent, they have not had the success that they've enjoyed in the past century of play. I think that their signing of Shabazz Napier is a big step for them to make improvements, but they may even need to consider a coaching change down the line.
DeleteI find the history of Olimpia Milano to be unique, as their have been various winning cultures established, but seemingly very little stability. This begun with their early success during their formulation as a team, in part due to the partnership and first sponsorship with Milan businessman Bogoncelli, yet struggled after this. Later, prominent NBA players/coaches Mike D'Antoni and Dino Meneghin helped to revivie the franchise bringing another period of success to Milano. Thus instability seemed a major point of contention, with stable ownership or a better model being put into place. You mentioned Kobe potentially taking over ownership in 2000s, I would agree that a basketball background should be selected to right the course of the franchise in a culture/winning mentality. Actions such as these may help bring Milano back to their winning ways.
ReplyDeleteYeah this is a very interesting comment and it seems that a lot of people have had very similar thoughts. They started out very succcessful and were considered one of the best basketball clubs in Europe, and as of lately they have fallen off and have not shown the same success and growth that other clubs have shown. Their instability I think may have to do with their ownership which I've replied to Claire about and my concerns with it as well.
DeleteBeing a big fan of basketball has led me to know the name of Mike DAntoni. I am surprised to read that he played basketball overseas. I would have thought he never played and he just spent his career coaching at a young age. It was also interesting to learn that Kobe Bryant lived in Italy for seven years. Going back to the Mike DAnotini discussion, I wonder how many other coaches have played over seas, or just in general how many connections are there to international basketball with the NBA.
ReplyDeleteYes this is very interesting. We did a lot of research on specifically the evolution of the NBA in regards to its international scope and found some very interesting research. In fact, in 1983, there were only around 15 players in the NBA who were international which made up about 5% of the league. Now, as of 2023, there are 120 international players which makes up 27% of the league. A lot of this can be attributed to the work of former NBA commissioner David Stern.
DeleteI had no idea Olimpia Milano was such a successful team from the start. It's also very interesting that Kobe Bryant and Giorgio Armani had roles in sponsorship and ownership, and that Giorgio is the owner. I wonder if the ownership has anything to do with their lack of success in the recent years.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting why Giorgio Armani has interest in a basketball team being a designer fashion brand. Some may consider his motives of using the team as a business venture rather than having a passion for the game. Maybe this is even the reason that they have not enjoyed a lot of success over the past decade or so.
DeleteIt's interesting to see the success of a team over time. I find it hard to believe this team has been playing for nearly 100 years and the evolution it has up until today. I like to see the growth from being sponsored by Italian brands to sponsors from around the world including American names like Kobe Bryant. Is Olimpia Milano an older club compared to others in EuroLeague? The history could be an important selling point for the team especially over time and with a hopeful EuroLeague championship in the near future.
ReplyDeleteYeah it sounds like many people are surprised to hear that Kobe Bryant had interest in the club as well and that not many peopple knew that he lived in Italy for 7 years in his youth while his father played on a EuroLeague team in Italy. Big American names like his definitely work to bring more recognition to these clubs that most Americans have never given any attention to.
DeleteIt is interesting to read about their successes in the founding years of the club and the sort of up and down periods that that have seen since. Also I always find it interesting reading about these clubs history and seeing how many notable players and coaches of basketball have been linked to the European game. I thought it was pretty cool seeing that Kobe through his name into purchasing the team due to his childhood in Italy and that Armani was the eventual owners.
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting that Milano has had names such as Mike D'Antoni and was especially surprised to hear that Bob McAdoo used to play for Milano. With such famous names and a rich history, it is surprising that they have not had the major success recently that they used to have. I think one way that they could fix this is to try to sign another big name player that will bring in more interest to the team. That interest that a big name player brings provides large amounts of revenue that will help the team to return to their legendary status.
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely a great approach to try and find more success especially after the weak recent years they have had. The only problem is finding that initial funding to sign the players and/or the ability to promote their interest in joining club. I agree that the signing itself would already generate more buzz surrounding the club.
DeleteI found it very interesting the amount of famous players and business individuals that have had an impact on Olimpia Milano. This is the first organization where I have truly seen this and am very curious to see if this has forged a unique connection with the NBA.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that the team was formed in Italy during the beginning of World War 2. Italy was obviously a much different government and country during that time, so it is interesting to hear about how the team was able to sustain success despite this volatility. I also liked reading about how Mike D'Antoni played for them and was able to transition to the NBA!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting the history behind this team as a whole. They have worked with countless famous players and interesting individuals within business. I always enjoy reading about how clubs came to be what they are today. Also I think they have had some super cool jerseys.
ReplyDeleteI agree the jerseys are also pretty sweet especially with the designer fashion ownership.
DeleteI think Olimpia Milano's rich history in Italian basketball is evident with their nine Italian League Championships and multiple famous players who have worn their jersey. The team's ownership has also seen big names like Giorgio Armani take control of the team, which has contributed to their recent success. However, Milano's failure to win the EuroLeague Championship since 1988 is a blemish on an otherwise impressive record in Italian and European basketball.
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