A Serie A executive has opened up on ambitious plans to become the first major European league to host regular season games in the United States – within three years.
Speaking from Serie A’s office in New York City, Michele Ciccarese, the league’s commercial and marketing director, outlined the organization’s desire to be a ‘trendsetter’ by becoming the first European soccer league to stage competitive games in America and reap the financial rewards.
Clubs from Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League have routinely held their preseasons in the USA in recent years, and there’s been an expectation from many that England’s top flight will travel to the USA at some point for a competitive fixture.
But if Ciccarese has is way, Italy’s elite league will beat the Premier League to it – and by 2028.
‘Yes, we would love to do it,’ Ciccarese told a group of reporters, including Mail Sport.
‘As the [Serie A] President [Ezio Simonelli] said, we are working in order to potentially do it, but there are barriers that we need to overcome with the right strategy [in] place and with the support of the clubs, without forgetting that players are players’ he concluded, noting the sport’s congested playing schedule.
Christian Pulisic has helped AC Milan gain an American audience since his move to Italy
Juventus’ Tim Weah (right), seen playing against Inter, is another American starring in Serie A
‘It should be done in a way that makes sense for the club without forgetting the fans.
‘You cannot play a Milan derby in America because the fans in Italy will get very upset as that game has a big meaning in Italy, so we have to play in a way that is respectful of our audience.’
Nonetheless, his comments represent a growing trend of European clubs and leagues expanding their reach across the Atlantic.
‘It’s always a race to try to be the trendsetter, because then the followers come and the trendsetter [gets] more benefits, more potentially, in terms of revenues,’ Ciccarese added.
Is 2028 a realistic timeline? It wasn’t a resounding ‘no’ from Ciccarese, who said: ‘Who knows… potentially.’
Ciccarese noted that any such plan would have to be approved by UEFA and FIFA, and said Serie A would need to ‘present the proper strategy to the authorities.
‘For us, we need the approval of the Italian Federation, with the approval of UEFA, then it goes up to FIFA, and then it goes back to the local community.’
But Ciccarese spoke with enthusiasm and seriousness about the plan, even mentioning the NFL’s expansion into Germany, the United Kingdom and – as of next season – Australia, in speaking of Serie A’s inspiration.
‘How can you get the close audience?’ he asked. ‘Only [by] bringing the product.’
‘If I can take you all tomorrow to a San Siro experience, or to an Inter experience, you would love it,’ he continued. ‘So the only way is to bring the club closer to the fans.’
At present, some of the biggest stars on the USA national team compete in Serie A.
Christian Pulisic has cemented his position as a key man in AC Milan’s setup and has US midfielder Yunus Musah as a teammate.
Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, meanwhile, are regulars for Juventus, too.
