GdS: ‘An increasingly American Milan’ – kiss cams, exclusive pubs and competitions

Since taking over AC Milan, there have been questions about RedBird implementing certain Americanisations to Rossoneri games, and a report has suggested that this could be the beginning. 

When Gerry Cardinale has spoken to the media about the future of Milan’s stadium and other things, he has often referred to American case studies to further his points – most notably through the example of the New York Yankees when discussing a new stadium.

Whilst there is no harm in making references to certain cases, some may be fearing the Diavolo becoming an American brand with certain implementations already being made on matchdays.

As Gazzetta dello Sport (via Radio Rossonera) write, Cardinale has a ‘desire to bring American sports culture to Italian football’ and it is not slowing down. Instead, it seems that RedBird are continuing to bring American stadium mainstays to San Siro to make the stadium experience more American.

Already there are things such as half-time shows and even decibel competitions, and there are plans for a new exclusive pub to open. Criticisms about these events have been made, with many feeling it is not right to celebrate at halftime during bad times.

However, this may just be the start. With the Club 1899 section getting access to a new, exclusive pub, perhaps there is more to come. Gazzetta suggests that ‘kiss cams’ and ‘light games’ could become part of the matchday experience, making it seem at times like ‘Milan is in Illinois’.

Tags AC Milan Gerry Cardinale

23 Comments

  1. So what? Put down the anti-American bias. By the way, most of the most successful teams in Serie A are owned by Americans.

    Should we criticize the fact that America is so Italian in certain ways? Oh God, there are pizzerias everywhere in America! And Italian-American cuisine is likely the most favorite cuisine in America. Why oh why there is a San Gennaro festival in many American cities? Should New York City have a neighborhood called Little Italy? In virtually all sports stadiums in America, including those for baseball and American football, concessions sell pizza slices, the horror!!! Pizza should be banned for being Italian; only hamburgers and hot dogs should be allowed, right?

    Put down the xenophobia. It’s not a good look.

    1. Just as a heads up you do realize that burgers came from Rome even though they was a bit different than nowadays it was food served to the soldiers in the legions. Hot dogs is German by the way even if also a bit different.
      I have no overall anti American sentiment neither in regard of our owners or the country but if I sat on a stadium and was filmed by a kissing cam I’d flip my finger for all to see.

      1. Look, if you want to be that specific, then you should say that pasta is originally Asian and tomatoes were not originally native from the Italian peninsula, but rather from the Andes region of South American (Ecuador and Peru).

        These days, hamburgers and hot dogs are way more an American kind of fast food than Roman or German, just like pasta and tomato sauce are way more Italian than Asian or South American.

          1. Haha, I know the difference. I was just making a point. I’m not self-loathing at all. I’m really proud of Italy. Just, I’m not xenophobic and I don’t criticize others just because they are American.

        1. Well pasta did exist in Italy long before North and south America was discovered by the Europeans so not really comparable to what I said,

          Well I’m from Denmark and I can say that American influence on this country has pretty much just happened in the last 100 years and even more so after ww2 and Sausages has probably been eaten around these parts of the world for a millenium.
          Any who I just mentioned the stuff as a curiosty that most people probably doesn’t know about.

          1. LOL, America was discovered by Europeans. Natives have been in America long before Europeans showed up. What a European thing to say. That statement is almost as thick as when Americans say they won WWII.

          2. Well I get that historically america was discovered far earlier also proven by the kontiki expedition in the 50ies and also via genetic science about migration. Im obviously referting to colombus but even then you can go farther back in regard of the vikings but im sure you understand what i was hinting at. There are actually genetic studoesb that are widely accepted that migration also happened via the straight between russia and northern america as even the native americans bare european dna so there you.

    2. Because America had a lot of Italian immigration. Not the opposite. I lived in America, I live in Milan, it’s not even close culturally speaking, there is a cultural shock. Especially in sports.

      Now this is nothing new, there is US imperialism ever since Jerry took full control last summer. He should have bought a MLS team… Or at least bring a Chick-Fil-A ffs

      1. “Because America had a lot of Italian immigration. Not the opposite.”

        Well Italy has a lot of American owners immigration, since they own half of the teams in serie A.
        Just like Italian have influence on American every day life, just like that American club owners have influence on Italian football.
        Jerry took control in September of ’22, not last summer. He did something else last summer which still pains you.

        1. What you’re describing is called imperialism. Sport in America is basically entertainment and mass consumption. Nobody here asked for that. You think you’re on Jerry’s side? Or you’re just a fan/customer/wallet? Damn wake up man.

          Why would I welcome in my heart a guy whose first moves has been to fire the biggest legend of the club who just won a Scudetto and to sell a fan favorite world class player to bring the mess we currently have? A guy saying at his arrival that he didn’t know this club has won 7 UCL and now saying that he’s focused on the US. Am I ungrateful?

          1. “Why would I welcome in my heart a guy whose first moves has been to fire the biggest legend of the club who just won a Scudetto and to sell a fan favorite world class player to bring the mess we currently have? A guy saying at his arrival that he didn’t know this club has won 7 UCL and now saying that he’s focused on the US. Am I ungrateful?”

            Couldn’t have said it better. This should be pasted as a response everytime someone from the Gerry bunch cannot cope with our opinion and come at us.

          2. It’s not all bad, Bartholomeo. We are moving forward with a new stadium, the single issue most likely to improve the team for the future: with much bigger revenue like all big European clubs have (they all own their stadiums) we could become really competitive; UEFA rules tie up the new player spending to a club’s revenue. See Juve, they have their own stadium unlike all the other Serie A teams.

            And also, what about Milan Futuro? That is a real advantage for us now; only Juve and Atalanta have one. If Jerry doesn’t do anything else before he sells Milan, these two legacies will still do a lot of good for the club for the decades to come.

            We have balanced our budget and we do not have debt issues like Inter. Eventually this will damage Inter while it won’t damage us.

            Did I like Sandro’s sale? Hell, no. I used to have Sandro’s name and number on my Milan jersey.

            Do I like the hiring of Emerson Royal and Paulo Fonseca? Hell, no.

            Did I like the manner in which Paolo Maldini was disrespected? Hell, no.

            But it isn’t all bad. People here tend to criticize RedBird for everything; sometimes it feels like they do just because they are American, forgetting that there is some good being done.

          3. I’m with Bartholomeo on this one. The Serie A match day experience should not become “kiss cams”, hot dogs, stupid races between grown ups dressed as animals, etc.

            That being said some things can be borrowed. For example, the concession situation at San Siro is terrible. We don’t need, or want, a McDonalds or a hot dog stand, or nachos, but why not places where you can get Italian food? There are plenty of pasta joints that are take out places. You go and order a carbonara and you get it in a carton with a fork and off you go. And they can be delicious. In certain places by the sea you can get a fritto misto in the same carton. Delicious. Why not at the stadium? There can be panini places, etc. You can have stands that sell Italian beer and wine, etc.

          4. Bart, I was saying it isn’t all bad, and I was adding that some people seem to criticize RedBird just because they are American.

            Here’s another example: how many times we heard that Jerry pushing for hiring Pulisic was just because the latter is American and Jerry was clueless that Puli was washed and a Chelsea reject and just wanted to sell jerseys and merchandise.

            It turns out that Puli is one of the very best Milan players with 31 goal contributions since he was hired – he has just added a gorgeous 31st one, scoring just now against Liverpool.

            Is it fair to criticize everything that is American? Puli is American. Great, great player. Who doesn’t love him?

          5. @ Luigi man it’s not that people like or don’t like America. Jerry arrives and is like « hey guys you didn’t want it but I’m pushing it down your throat anyway ». Milan is a club of strong traditions and many of us love this club because of that. Now it’s fading with consumerism travestied in progressivism.

            @ Vero Rossonero yeah inside San Siro it’s a shame but outside there are all the traditional panini and beers, Italian tailgate haha

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