Overview
- The move was publicly confirmed on Friday, May 29, when the investor group led by former NBA executive Donnie Nelson announced it had acquired Vanoli Cremona’s sporting rights and will relocate and rebrand the club in Rome for the 2026‑27 Serie A season.
- Luka Dončić publicly joined the ownership group in an Instagram post and interviews, saying he has long wanted to own a European team and will take part in the project without playing.
- The ownership group includes former player and executive Rimantas Kaukėnas and has named Sasha Đorđević as head coach with veteran Roman coach Valerio Bianchini serving as a senior guiding figure.
- The new club is scheduled to compete in Italy’s top division in 2026‑27 under a new name and image but key operational details such as the arena, final branding, and how the Cremona ‘gemellaggio’ with local supporters will work remain under negotiation.
- Beyond domestic aims, the owners have presented Rome as a candidate for NBA Europe’s emerging competition and say the project could restore high‑level basketball to the city and affect existing lower‑division Roman clubs and Cremona fans.