FC Bayern Munich has got off to a dream start in the EuroLeague. In an interview, managing director Marko Pesic talked about the significance of the new arena, the development of the club and the influence of former coach Andrea Trinchieri.
Bayern has played four times in the new arena, won four times and, with a record of 6-2 in the EuroLeague, is among the best teams in Europe, although financially, Bayern is not yet able to fully keep up with the big teams.
“A new arena with more seats naturally means more revenue,” said managing director Marko Pesic in an interview with Basket News. ”But this is our first year in the SAP Garden, so we have calculated conservatively because we didn’t know exactly what to expect. So far, it’s going better than expected.”
According to Pesic, the SAP Garden is an insurance policy for the future and also a “statement of continuity” on the Isar. “Anyone who has doubted the basketball department of FC Bayern so far can bury those doubts, because we are here to stay.” His dream, he says, is for both the soccer and basketball teams to play internationally on the same day, with both games sold out.
Pesic praises Trinchieri: “He showed us what is possible”
It was no easy task, but the first performances in the new arena were sold out, which makes Pesic proud. “We have established ourselves in a football city, which is not easy and for the city this is a real success story.”
And things are going well in the sport, too. The goal of reaching the playoffs again after two weak years in a row seems possible. The last time they made the playoffs was under coach Andrea Trinchieri, who led Bayern into the playoffs in 2021 and 2022 and was only beaten in the decisive fifth game twice.
“He showed us what is possible in the EuroLeague,” said Pesic, full of praise. “It was very important for the club, not just for me. The entire club is very grateful to him.” And Pesic said that even though Bayern did not win the German championship under the Italian in three years. ‘That doesn’t matter in our memory,’ Pesic assured. ‘Andrea showed us the way for Bayern to one day reach the Final Four of the EuroLeague and win that competition.’