July 5, 2017 (NEW YORK, NY) – On June 26, Ferrari Trento, in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and SDA Bocconi School of Management, celebrated the opening night of the NBPA’s ‘Player Program,’ welcoming 45 guests, including eight international basketball players, to a reception of the ‘International Business Academy’ in Milan. This higher education initiative is designed to help NBPA members understand the power of international brands and markets on the world stage.
Ferrari Trento CEO Matteo Lunelli (left) greets NBA champion, Boris Diaw of the Utah Jazz (right) with a magnum bottle signing of Ferrari Maximum Brut NV
An alumnus and frequent guest speaker at Bocconi University, one of Europe’s most prestigious business schools, Matteo Lunelli, CEO of Ferrari Trento, addressed players such as Danilo Gallinari (Denver Nuggets), Boris Diaw (Utah Jazz), Wilson Chandler (Denver Nuggets), Boban Marjanovic (Detroit Pistons), Jerami Grant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets), Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic), Alexis Ajinca (New Orleans Pelicans), Jordan Clarkson (Los Angeles Lakers), and Ronny Turiaf (former player for the Minnesota Timberwolves). He discussed the importance of branding in the global economy at an authentic Italian ‘aperitivo’ reception consisting of pre-dinner drinks and hor d’oeuvres, hosted by Ferrari at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan. The “19:02” Ferrari-style aperitivo is a celebratory nod to 1902, the year in which Ferrari Trento was founded. Guests were greeted with glasses of Ferrari Maximum Brut NV, Ferrari Perlé 2009, Ferrari Perlé Rosé Riserva 2010. Menu items included roast octopus with black mayonnaise, pasta “Alla Vittorio,” Milanese-style risotto, petit fours and raspberry sorbet.
“It was an honor to welcome members of the NBPA to SDA Bocconi on behalf of Ferrari Trento,” said Lunelli. “We applaud their quest to develop business acumen through continued education. Sectors like sports, wine and spirits, and fashion demand creative approaches to business challenges, and Ferrari Trento encourages these players to develop business leadership skills that will enhance and transcend their skills on the court.”
The 2017 ‘International Business Academy’ took place from June 26th to June 28th and focused on teaching NBPA members about business and branding with a global perspective. Attendees enjoyed a custom-made experience that combined diverse learning methodologies, including classroom activities, company visits, and lectures from industry leaders in categories such as wine and spirits, food and beverage, fashion, automotive, and the nonprofit world.
About the NBPA
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA mission is to ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected and that every conceivable measure is taken to assist players in maximizing their opportunities and achieving their goals, both on and off the court. Whether it is negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, prosecuting a grievance on a player’s behalf or counseling a player on benefits and educational opportunities, the NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interest of all NBA players.
About SDA Bocconi
SDA Bocconi School of Management was founded in 1971 by Bocconi University in Milan. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. SDA Bocconi’s campus buildings are in the center of Milan. In addition to being the business and financial capital of Italy, Milan is also ideally located in the heart of Europe. Thanks to this strategic position, SDA Bocconi has been able to build a large network of international contacts and benefits from the city being a world-renowned center for culture, fashion and design.
About Ferrari Trento
Established in 1902 by Giulio Ferrari, Ferrari crafts bottle-fermented sparkling wines created with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes cultivated on the slopes of the mountains in northern Italy’s Trentino region, according to the regulations of Trento D.O.C. Ferrari is led by the 3rd generation of the Lunelli family, descendants of Bruno Lunelli, who purchased the estate in 1952. For over a century the winery has continued Giulio Ferrari’s uncompromising search for excellence in every detail, staying true to Trentino and its mountain viticulture in the pursuit of quality, and with an enduring commitment to sustainability. Profoundly Italian in craftsmanship and reputation, Ferrari stands apart as a symbol of the Italian Art of Living, earning the distinction of “Best European Winery of the Year” at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards in 2015. For more information visit @FerrariTrento or www.ferraritrento.it/EN.
