Despite finishing 17th in the 2024–25 EuroLeague standings, Virtus Bologna’s president Massimo Zanetti has made a bold proclamation about the club’s immediate future in the competition.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Zanetti stated, “I think we will be in the EuroLeague again next year. Virtus will stay there. I guarantee it: three more years.”
The Italian executive revealed that he personally traveled to Barcelona for discussions regarding the club’s continued participation in Europe’s top basketball tournament.
Zanetti added, “We are an iconic club. I went to Barcelona and we negotiated. We are waiting.”
Virtus Bologna concluded the 2024–25 EuroLeague regular season with a 9–25 record and a point differential of –151, placing them second-to-last ahead of only ALBA Berlin.
Their poor performance left them out of playoff contention, with all postseason spots going to clubs finishing 1st through 10th.
However, EuroLeague does not function under a strict promotion-relegation model, and several teams participate based on long-term licenses or wild cards.
Virtus Bologna held a wild card for this season, and Zanetti’s comments suggest that negotiations to renew or extend that agreement are underway.
Zanetti’s public statements come at a time when multiple clubs across Europe are lobbying for a limited number of available wild card spots.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, the other Italian representative, ended the season 11th and missed the play-in zone despite finishing with a .500 record.
