Serie A president discusses possibility of 16-team league: “There is no magic solution”

Serie A has moved between 16 and 20 teams since the late 1920s and now there is a possibility of AC Milan team playing in a 16 team league again. 

Since 2004, Serie A has been a 20 team league, though this has not always been the case. Before then, it was an 18-team league and before that, 16. However, the league has fluctuated in size since the 1934.

Initially, the Italian top flight was made up of 18 teams, but there have been eight changes since, including the most recent in 2004. Though, it seems that another could happen in the future, with it being discussed.

Back in time?

Today, Ezio Simonelli, the president of Lega Serie A, spoke to Radio Anch’Io Sport about the possibility of the league decreasing in size, after an idea from Aurelio De Laurentiis, the chairman of reigning champions Napoli. His thoughts have been relayed this afternoon by MilanNews.

“Reducing the number of teams is a complex issue, however, one that doesn’t just involve Serie A, but should involve all professional football. The leagues are interconnected, so it could only happen with a reform of the Federation. In Spain and England, there are 20 teams, in France and Germany, 18, proving that there is no magic solution.

“Regarding rights, I’ll rely on the experience of those who know more than me. We’re satisfied with how we’re selling rights in Italy with the agreements with DAZN and Sky. We need to improve the marketing of rights abroad.”

The precedent of a smaller league is questionable, indeed, and there would certainly be questions about what it’d mean elsewhere. However, they would not be the first organisation to undergo historic changes.