Article by David Istrate – Published on Sunday, 19 April 2026 23:35 / Updated on Sunday, 19 April 2026 23:43
Massimo Zanetti (78), the owner of Segafredo and Virtus Bologna, said he is considering selling his basketball team, given the advanced age he has reached. Also, the entrepreneur and former politician told the fans to have faith in Nenad Jakovljevic, the new coach of the team evolving in the Euroleague.
Massimo Zanetti is one of the most famous businessmen in Italy, being the founder and owner of Segafredo, one of the most famous coffee companies in the world.
In 2016, Segafredo Zanetti became the main sponsor of Virtus Bologna, one of the two teams of a city that loves basketball. The infusion of capital took the Italian outfit to the Euroleague, the main European competition.
Massimo Zanetti considers selling Virtus Bologna: “If nobody wants to take over, I will stay in charge”
At 78, Massimo Zanetti recently said he is considering selling the basketball club he owns.
“If someone comes forward who would like to buy Virtus and can demonstrate that they have sufficient funds, desire and ambition, I will be willing to listen. The club is mine for now, if no one wants to take over, I will remain in charge,” explained the Italian entrepreneur, quoted by sportal.rs.
“Anyway, I'll be 80 soon and I'll listen to offers. I repeat, everything is moving forward, we have plans for the coming years and we are talking with the Euroleague about renewing the license. I would like to be the chairman of Virtus even after 2026, even when we move to the new hall and the management will be different from the current oneZanetti added.
“This would be a fitting end to this wonderful decade. As owner, we reached Serie A2, we started with promotion and the Coppa Italia, and since then, a trophy every year. We brought back the title of Italian champion,” he concluded.
Carsen Edwards, the star of Virtus Bologna/Photo: euroleaguebasketball.net
Virtus Bologna is in first place in the Italian league with 20 wins and 5 losses. Instead, the black and whites ranked 17th in the Euroleague with a record of 14-24. Therefore, Dusko Ivanovic, the coach of Virtus was replaced by Nenad Jakovljevic.
“Let's give the new coach time, let's be with him, the team follows him, the injured players will return, and we've already seen progress in the last few games. I would have been satisfied with the course of the season so far, if it wasn't for this unbroken string of bad luck. However, we are still in first place in the championship,” Zanetti said.
