By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The writing was already on the wall with Tony Parker hoping for a collaboration between FIBA, EuroLeague, and the NBA.
This is not the case anymore; Tony Parker’s club, LDLC ASVEL, is in danger of being expelled from the EuroLeague, and in an interview with French newspaper “Le Progres” Parker practically announced that his team is moving to NBA Europe.
As he said, “We have done everything to be ready for the NBA”.
And not only that. Parker practically confirmed that his relationship with the EuroLeague will end in a court of law.
Defending the fact that his team spends less than permitted by EuroLeague bylaws for players’ contracts, he explained: “The EuroLeague has publicly sanctioned us for spending €4.4 million on salaries, while its minimum is €5.85 million. However, the regulations of the French National Basketball League (LNB) prohibit us from spending more. We are under financial control. In short, they are asking us to disregard French basketball law. It is out of the question for us to break the rules established by our National League, with whom we maintain excellent relations”.
That’s why ASVEL is not going to pay the difference of €1.45 million as a bonus to the players, and Parker added: “No, and we’re going to court. The question I’m asking myself is: why this year, when all our Euroleague contracts run until 2026?”
So this should be considered the last season of ASVEL in the EuroLeague.