SFS25: "Fantasy football is the primary tool for talking to fans" (Michele Ciccarese, Lega Serie A)

"We don't want to talk to fans only during match broadcasts, but all the time and across the globe, using digital tools and not just social media. Fantasy football is the primary tool for this. Many children develop their passion through Panini cards, then through Fantacalcio (fantasy league)," said Michele Ciccarese, commercial and marketing director at Lega Serie A, on 18/11/2025.

Ciccarese took part in a talk entitled "innovation in sponsorshio and fan engagement in Serie A" organised as part of the Social Football Summit 2025, at the Allianz Stadium in Turin (Italy).

Michele Ciccarese took part in the discussion alongside Francesco Meroni, marketing director for Italy at Mondelēz International (confectionery), a partner of the Italian league via its Philadelphia (cream cheese) brand, Nino Ragosta, CEO of Fantacalcio, and Giorgio Carafa Cohen, chief brand and revenues officer at Iliad (technology), also a partner of the Lega Serie A.

"If I have players from four or five clubs in my fantasy team, I'll be even more keen to watch their matches, and not just those of my favourite…