We publish the press release from the players and staff of Florence, as done by firenzebasketblog.

“160 days have passed since the Pallacanestro Firenze project got underway. Yesterday, for the umpteenth time, all of us, players, coaches, directors and collaborators met to talk open-heartedly about the serious difficulties we are experiencing; also telling us about sensations, needs, fears that we are facing inside and outside the building, harassed by the respective economic commitments to honour. We are not all friends, some of us met for the first time in Florence but we immediately feel involved in something really important that in our careers counts as a rich salary and for some even more. With the distinctions that the various personalities expressed, we are committed to carrying forward what we believe is a great project for Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world with an indisputable passion for the basket and the desire to revive the known emotions in the city and for many to discover. Are there any difficulties? Of course there are, a new group with technical and personal characteristics to put together, the injuries, those little things to fix; situations that we know well experienced in our careers, but beyond the usual rumors that contrast the teams, compactness and unity of purpose has never been lacking.

But let’s take a step back to the beginning of the adventure: when asked precisely where we could play in the 2022/23 season, we were given two options: the Mandela Forum and, in the event of unavailability for some matches, the Palazzo Wanni. In the end, unfortunately, after unnerving feasibility hypotheses that all failed, the only building available was the Palacoverciano that we can’t always use in the morning because it’s busy with schools. Despite the appreciated support of the managers of the Pino Dragons sports club and the great effort of its president Luca Borsetti, the very small and obsolete structure
has proven to fall short of needs and expectations. But that’s not the real problem. Ours is the only team among the 64 in Serie B and the others in Serie A2 and A that sadly has the shirts
empty. As is well understandable, it is not just an aesthetic theme but over the months it has become the “problem” that prompted us to communicate what is happening.

It is there for all to see how the project has been welcomed by city ​​institutions who wanted to see PF in Serie A in four years. There has been talk in recent months that various companies of the caliber of
Tamoil, Zurich Assicurazioni and others will give their name and the indispensable financial contribution to support the project. Today hopes have faded, despite the commitment that they tell us is still maximum, we have been able to ascertain nothing concrete. We have our backs against the wall, the time for promises has run out and we have the bad feeling of having been left alone, without the slightest concrete act on the horizon, with urgent decisions to be made about the future that are up to each of us. Yet we have tried to demonstrate our maximum collaboration with the existing structures and with the city, as evidenced by the involvement in the project Michele Forti Parri who assumed total control of PF. Forti Parri was highly recommended by Michele Pierguidi current president of the District 2 Council, president of Calcio Storico Fiorentino, as well as factotum of the Sancat sports club. The state of things has highlighted the absolute lack of dialogue and availability of the sole director Forti Parri. His behavior leads us to think that there is an intention to replace the current organizational chart or part of it. If this is the aim, the current managers are willing to fold, to give players and those who are committing themselves with absolute dedication, the possibility of continuing to carry out their profession without having to worry about the future. We would like to point out that no one has asked for anything in exchange for our total commitment other than to bring top basketball back to Florence after forty years. Let’s hope that those who have hindered us even with considerable hostile actions will take matters into their own hands
Pallacanestro Firenze and that their vaunted abilities combine with the desire to do with the indispensable help denied to us can complete what we started. In any case, thanks to all the enthusiasts who supported us and believed in us, thanks to the president and vice president of the Florence Basketball Association who did their utmost in our favor.

The team, coaches, staff, managers and collaborators of Pallacanestro Firenze.“