Roberto Rizzo, president of the Consortium, draws the line “We have 141 shareholders and 2 billion in aggregate turnover”
/ TREVISO
«Next goal: consolidation». The TvB season ended a few days ago but the UniVerso Consortium is not wasting time enjoying the achievements. This is confirmed by the president, Roberto Rizzo, who saw the subsidiary take decisive steps forward: “Two years ago, at the time of promotion to Serie A, we thought of raising the bar – explains the number one of the Consortium – we dreamed of reach the playoffs and Europe within three years. We succeeded in less time, moreover in a very difficult period like that of the pandemic, thanks to an exceptional work group, to a coach who managed to enhance players caught even from the underwater. And thanks also thanks to us entrepreneurs who have set up a sort of TvB-World, in which we also recognize ourselves as fans. With financial solidity in the first place ».
What is the situation of UniVerso?
«We have 141 shareholders, about two billion in aggregate turnover and 7 thousand employees and an overall weight of a large company, with exchanges between the various realities for 2.7 million. The contribution for the season was one million euros, about 10% more than in the past, with important injections of liquidity during the year to make up for the absence of the ticket office. But I have to thank all the members who answered unequivocally when asked to contribute: it is a really good sign, as well as the fact that no one has left the Consortium despite the difficult period ».
Maybe some other company could join, with the Cup perspective.
«Europe, that is to say the BCL we want to join, is an important showcase for companies with an international scope. The topic is at the top of the list, we will talk about it at the next Board of Directors. It will be a question of finding other resources, I would say 30-35% more, to set up a competitive team. However, I notice great enthusiasm, I believe that if a shareholders’ meeting could be held in attendance, I would see nothing but arms raised in front of the proposal to grow ».
By the way: it’s a shame about the absence of an audience in such a beautiful season.
«The final of the Italian Football Cup in Reggio Emilia with 4,000 spectators in the stands offers us hope, in October it would be nice to find our fans again to experience a new year all together. I’m confident”.
There was talk of the team: who would you confirm?
«All, as a whole, I have no doubts. As a fan I am a conservative, if a player leaves I feel a little bad. I think there are still unexpressed potentials in the team, like Akele’s. Chillo and Imbrò were our pillars, we know Logan, Sokolowski and Mekowulu turned out to be pleasant surprises and Russell also played very well. In addition we have seen a boy from the province, Piccin, emerge and conquer space: it is a victory of our philosophy aimed at young people. And I would like to underline how for us consortium members having seen the group fight on an equal footing with Virtus is almost worth a scudetto: just remember that with the salary of one of the HCL stars we could pay the salary of almost all our players ».
Once Europe has been reached, are there any other objectives left?
«Obviously confirm ourselves at this level. To win something, for example a national title, you need other conditions, but dreaming is not forbidden. On the other hand, TvB itself is the realization of a dream and the future belongs to the new generation, to those who believe in the beauty of desires ». –