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Iko MilyoraPresident of Milan
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
- Milan's President On KHL Talks
- Current Status of KHL Negotiations
- Timeline for Potential Entry
- Financial Challenges
- Expansion and Italy's Hockey Development
- Dual Competition for Milan
- Italian Hockey History and Global Player Pool
- Family Ties and Player Development
- Federation Support and Political Enthusiasm
- Media Coverage and Marketing
- Partnerships with Football Clubs
- Travel Concerns and Playing Style
- Coaching Staff and Player List
Milan's President On KHL Talks
Ico Migliore, President and majority shareholder of HC Milan, recently spoke to Russian sports newspaper Sport-Express about the ongoing negotiations for the club to join the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Current Status of KHL Negotiations
"Our consultations with the league are ongoing," Migliore said. "In particular, a meeting with KHL Vice-President Ilya Kochergin is scheduled for the end of this week. We are seeking an optimal solution for the future. However, I would like to note that we are in constant contact with the KHL, and I evaluate our cooperation positively. I hope that the league has the same impression."
Timeline for Potential Entry
"Regarding the exact timing of Milan's entry into the KHL, it is a rather complex topic," Migliore explained. "At this point, I can only say that a decision will be announced by the end of April. It may turn out that it would be more beneficial for all parties if Milan joined the KHL for the 2013-14 season."
Financial Challenges
"The main obstacle is financial," Migliore said. "We have already found sponsors willing to support the club if we join the KHL. However, we have only been working on this project for a year, and it's not easy to secure budget guarantees for three seasons in such a short time. We don't want to join the KHL for just one year and then leave, disappointing ourselves and our Russian partners. No, Milan intends to enter the KHL seriously and for the long term. Therefore, we are looking for guaranteed funding for several years in advance, which, I repeat, is a complex task."
Expansion and Italy's Hockey Development
Migliore expressed enthusiasm about the KHL's expansion into Western Europe, with the recent additions of Slovan Bratislava and HC Lev. "This is a positive development, and I believe that Milan's presence in the league would be beneficial for its brand promotion," he said.
Dual Competition for Milan
If Milan joins the KHL, the club will continue to play in Serie A, Italy's top hockey league. Migliore outlined a plan to maintain both teams. "We have recently won the A2 division championship and promoted to Serie A," he said. "Milan's fans are thrilled, and our arena was almost sold out for the final two games. So, hockey is becoming more popular in Milan, which is very encouraging. We certainly want to keep playing in Serie A, and the team that won the A2 championship will do that. We have many Italian players who can develop in their national league and potentially earn a chance to join our KHL roster."
Italian Hockey History and Global Player Pool
Migliore spoke about Milan's hockey history and the potential for attracting international players to the KHL team. "In Milan, the hockey tradition dates back to 1924," he said. "The Milan Vipers, the predecessor of the current Milan club, won five scudettos in the early 2000s, when I was the general manager."
"For the KHL team, we can utilize Canadian players of Italian descent," Migliore continued. "There are many such players abroad, as well as Americans with Italian passports who demonstrate a high level of hockey. We may also have players from Sweden, Czech Republic, or Finland. Of course, I would not turn down the opportunity to have Russians."
Family Ties and Player Development
Migliore's son Tommaso scored the game-winning goal for Milan in the series finale for promotion to Serie A. "It was a great moment for me as a father," Migliore said. "However, it does not guarantee Tommaso a spot on the KHL team. I believe he will likely play in Serie A, but he may get a chance to try out for the KHL team along with other young Italian players."
Federation Support and Political Enthusiasm
Migliore emphasized the support of the Italian Ice Hockey Federation for Milan's KHL aspirations. "We have had a dialogue with the federation for over a year," he said. "Its president fully supports our initiative."
"The federation understands that an Italian team in the KHL would be great publicity for our hockey," Migliore added.
Media Coverage and Marketing
Migliore believes that the Italian public is receptive to the possibility of Milan joining the KHL. "All sports newspapers and magazines mention the KHL," he said. "We are working to increase awareness and coverage. There is more talk about hockey on TV, and this season, KHL games started being broadcast in Italy."
"We even have the attention of local and regional politicians," Migliore said. "There will soon be a conference in Milan dedicated to the construction of a new arena specifically for the KHL. Milan already has a palace that can accommodate over 10,000 spectators."
Partnerships with Football Clubs
Migliore highlighted the club's strong relationships with Milan Football Club and Inter Milan. "Many Inter players have attended our home games in the past," he said. "We are preparing promotional videos for the KHL to be shown during football matches. We recently printed a special issue of a newspaper for Milan and Inter fans, with a circulation of 30,000, which was distributed at San Siro stadium."
Travel Concerns and Playing Style
Migliore acknowledged the challenges of long-distance travel for KHL games in Eastern Russia. "We will have to address conference divisions," he said. "But it takes less than four hours to fly to Moscow or St. Petersburg, so that's not so bad."
Regarding Milan's playing style, Migliore said: "We want to play hockey, not brawl. We will focus on young players, and we can bring in players from other EU countries. Our club will showcase European hockey."
Coaching Staff and Player List
Migliore hinted at the possibility of a European head coach for the KHL team. "We believe we need a coach who is already known in the KHL," he said. "Perhaps even a Russian specialist. We are assembling a completely new coaching staff, and at least one representative from Russia will definitely be on it."
While Migliore declined to reveal specific players on his KHL roster, he expressed optimism about the future. "I believe that Milan's entry into the KHL would be good for both sides," he concluded. "We are serious about joining the league and are working diligently towards that goal."
