On Sunday, the “Sport Made in Italy” meeting took place at the Italian Consulate in New York. In the presence of prominent figures from the sports, business, political, and diplomatic worlds, the event celebrated Italy’s achievements in sports and the significance of a sector that generates 2% of the GDP.
Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani opened the meeting, themed “Sport Made in Italy: A Tool for Growth.” The convention, held at the General Consulate of Italy, was organized in collaboration with Serie A, the NBA Players Association, the Italian Baseball-Softball Federation, and CONI USA, featuring many distinguished personalities from Italian politics and sports.
Among the notable athletes present were Alessandro Del Piero, World Champion in 2006, and Danilo Gallinari, who arrived in the USA to play in the NBA 16 years ago and has played for nine franchises throughout his lengthy career. The event was hosted by the Consul General of Italy, Fabrizio Di Michele, and included important political and diplomatic figures such as European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Italian Ambassador to the United States Mariangela Zappia.
Prominent business figures also attended, including Stephen Pagliuca, co-chairman and co-owner of Atalanta, who holds 55% of the shares alongside other U.S. investors, and Gerry Cardinale, owner of AC Milan. In opening the debate, Tajani emphasized that sports are a “tool for integration and cohesion among Italian communities abroad,” making them central to the government’s actions and a fundamental piece of growth diplomacy. He noted that “Italian diplomacy is not just made up of ministers and diplomats, but also of sports, victories, and the businesses operating in the sports world.”
Tajani highlighted that “sports are not only about champions; they are also industry and business,” stating that many swimming pools and athletic tracks worldwide are built by Italian companies. He stressed the need to expand “the commercial policy of sporting events by promoting the purchase of sports rights in the United States within a European framework, allowing American networks to broadcast these events.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola remembered the late Totò Schillaci, a great Italian sports champion who passed away recently. After highlighting the many successes of Italian athletes, including Paralympians, she noted that “investing in Italy means investing in Europe,” even in the sports sector.
Pagliuca focused on the importance of sustainability in sports management, asserting that “there is a larger strategy than just winning matches.” He cited the example of his club, Atalanta, which succeeded in winning the Europa League while continuing to generate revenue. Gerry Cardinale emphasized the need to restore high quality to Italian football, which today “is recognized in England.” He asserted that collaboration among sports clubs, local and national governments, and private capital is essential.
The theme of collaboration and “teamwork to achieve results” was also addressed by Alessandro Del Piero, who noted how the entry of American investors has “helped Italian football move forward.” At the end of the meeting, Del Piero presented his number 10 jersey to President Metsola and Ambassador Zappia.
