The two great Milanese rivals, AC Milan and Inter Milan, may soon find themselves collaborating once more. Not for the historic San Siro stadium, but for a new and ambitious challenge: basketball. According to sports journalist Alessandro Maggi, American funds RedBird Capital (owner of AC Milan) and Oaktree Capital (now controlling Inter) are considering forming a partnership to acquire Olimpia Milano, Italy's most successful basketball team and one of Europe's most recognizable. The occasion is related to the tragic death of renowned fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who owned and sponsored the team for many years. Following his death, the club's management passed to various heirs in accordance with Italian inheritance law: the Armani Foundation now owns 30% of the voting rights, Leo Dell'Orco—the designer's right-hand man and partner—has 40%, and his niece Silvana Armani and nephew Andrea Camerana each own 15%. A fragmented division complicates strategic decisions and opens the prospect to a change in ownership. RedBird and Oaktree are interested in a project that has the potential to transform global basketball: NBA Europe, a new professional league that the National Basketball Association plans to start in Europe within the next two years. The long-standing plan is to establish a stable European equivalent of the American championship, with permanent franchises in major sporting capitals. Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, confirmed the plans, saying, "We hope to launch within the next two years, subject to NBA and FIBA approval. We’ve involved JP Morgan and Rain as advisors and are already in talks with potential investors and owners across Europe". The first phase of the project will feature clubs in Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and possibly Turkey and Greece. Milan, with its sports legacy, economic power, and the presence of two significant worldwide brands, AC Milan and Inter Milan, is regarded as an excellent location for one of the first franchises. According to original estimations, the transaction would be worth between 250 and 500 million euros (270-530 million dollars), with an official launch planned for autumn 2027, corresponding with the potential formation of the European NBA.