Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether and minority shareholder of Juventus, recently shared his insights on the club’s potential and the importance of fan engagement in an exclusive interview with Tuttosport (via IlBianconero).
Ardoino emphasized the vast potential of Italian football clubs, particularly Juventus, stating, “The Juventus and, in general, Italian football clubs have enormous potential; they are among the most recognized brands worldwide, but this potential is not fully exploited.”
A passionate Juventus supporter himself, Ardoino highlighted the need for the club to strengthen its connection with its extensive fan base.
He observed, “The Juventus has an enormous number of fans, almost infinite, and at this moment, in my opinion, there is a lack of contact with them.”
He believes that engaging fans effectively is crucial for the club’s growth, adding, “Involving fans is the future… creating the right kind of connection with the fans is fundamental.”
Addressing the club’s current challenges, Ardoino noted, “The club needs restructuring. At this moment, it has somewhat lost its way, at least from my point of view.”
He stressed the importance of rebuilding trust and support within the team and among supporters, saying, “The management needs to focus on themselves, concentrate on the team, and try to re-establish a trusting relationship with the fans because at this moment it seems to me that it is really shaky.”
Ardoino also sees technological innovation as a pathway to rejuvenate Juventus. He advocates for integrating new technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, to enhance fan engagement and operational efficiency.
“If football teams had a more direct contact with their fan base and utilized new technologies… both the Juventus brand and the fans would benefit,” he explained.
Regarding Tether’s investment, Ardoino expressed readiness to support Juventus further, contingent on the club’s openness to collaboration. He emphasized that while Tether holds a minority stake, their commitment is long-term, driven by genuine support for the club.
“We are here for the long term and believe in the enormous potential of Juventus,” he stated.
Reflecting on the club’s ownership, Ardoino acknowledged the need for a clear strategic direction from the current proprietors. He emphasized that the owners must decide whether to continue supporting the team robustly or seek partners to aid in its advancement.
“The ownership must demonstrate their focus on the team, something that perhaps fans do not perceive at this moment,” he commented.
