According to a Sponsor Value study by StageUp and Ipsos, Italian Serie A football is followed by 29.3 million people, and Italian Serie A basketball ranks second among sports with 16.9 million interested people. This represents an increase of 2 million people compared to 2022. Total spending this season for the 16 Serie A clubs amounts to nearly 185 million euros, compared to barely 110 million euros for the 2018-19 season, the last before the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a 65% increase. However, these data come just days after the publication of a report by the independent commission tasked with monitoring the economic and financial situation of professional sports clubs, which revealed that 14 of the 16 teams are in deficit. Olimpia Milan is still by far number one with a budget of 40 million euros, half of which is financed by the sponsorship of EA7, the high-end line of clothing and sports accessories by the Italian brand Emporio Armani. "The patron Giorgio Armani embodies patronage perfectly, bringing more than 250 million euros to the Red Shoes through investments and commercial agreements. Financial support has remained constant since the designer's death: the president Leo Dell'Orco, after securing the treble last season (Super Cup, Italian Cup and Scudetto), confirmed a budget of 40 million euros," indicates Gazzetta dello Sport. Virtus Bologna is second with a budget decrease, going from 32 million euros in 2024-2025 to 25 million this year. The owner, Massimo Zanetti, recently declared: "Our new strategy is to build a very young team with already performing players. They cost less than older players. The market has evolved; with the arrival of Dubai and other teams, the price of players has significantly increased. I noticed this in cycling with the entry of the United Arab Emirates. You have to be much better; it's not money that determines results, but a combination of factors." Behind the two EuroLeague clubs is Tortona, whose budget reached 14.5 million euros, largely due to increased revenue following the opening of its new arena. The return of Rome is one of the most significant developments, with two ambitious projects now competing in the capital. BC Roma has acquired the sports rights of Cremona, while Maxima Roma is presided by Paul Matiasic, the former star footballer Francesco Totti occupying the position of advisor. The two clubs already have budgets in the top 6 nationally.