AC Milan, San Donato will not remain an empty plot: plans are ready for a 20,000-seat arena. It will be home to an NBA Europe franchise

After acquiring control of Sportlifecity, the company that held the rights to use the land in San Francesco, San Donato Milanese, AC Milan bought the site for a total of €40 million.

On 8 February 2024, the deed was signed through SportCityLife. The entire San Francesco area covers more than 108,000–256,000 square metres (including the associated plots under the integrated plan). At least initially, it was thought AC Milan could build their own stadium there and free themselves from their link with Inter.

That did not happen. Pressure on Milan city council bore fruit and, only a year and a half later, Inter and AC Milan jointly bought the adjacent land and the existing Giuseppe Meazza stadium in San Siro.

AC Milan still own the unused land in San Donato. Cardinale has clear plans for the site, starting with a 20,000-seat indoor arena that will serve as the hub of its commercial development.

As a venue, the arena will host events and concerts, but above all it will be designed as the home of a franchise set to join the new league the NBA is developing in Europe: NBA Europe. That team is unlikely to be Olimpia Milano, who are expected to join but remain under the control of the Armani family. A purchase or transformation of another historic Lombardy club's sporting rights, such as Varese Basket's, is more likely.

None of this directly concerns the football club. Instead, it reflects a broader interest in entertainment and another growing sport: basketball.

The head of the RedBird Capitals fund told Repubblica he wants to establish a stronger presence in Milan and outlined his plans for San Donato.

You're often in Milan now: have you settled in?

"I'm thinking of buying a home here. I'd like to enjoy the city and stroll along Montenapoleone."

What will you do with San Donato?

"We have everything in place to start work on a 20,000-seat NBA Europe arena. We want to be involved with a franchise in Milan. I also have ambitions in tennis."