By Aris Barkas / barkas@eurohoops.net
Over the past few years, AS Monaco has emerged as one of the biggest names in European basketball, earning their way to two EuroLeague Final Fours and eventually going only one win away from winning the competition in Abu Dhabi.
The team’s president, Aleksej Fedoricsev, spoke to Eurohoops to touch on several topics, including the new arena and the team’s future at the highest stage of the EuroLeague.
Every time we meet, you repeat the same phrase: “We want to stay consistent, and we want to take at least one step forward every season.” And once again, you have done it, making history by reaching the EuroLeague final. What will you remember most from Abu Dhabi?
“Arriving at the team hotel and seeing our logo alongside Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and Fenerbahçe, clubs with over a century of history, was surreal. Monaco is a young club, yet we have reached the pinnacle of European basketball in record time. But for us, it is not just about this one moment. It is about building something deeper and lasting.”
This EuroLeague season was one of the most competitive ever. Even Real Madrid and Barcelona did not make the Final Four, and it was Monaco who eliminated Barça. What stands out most for you from that series?
“The energy in our first home games set the tone. Game 5 was unforgettable; the fans lifted the team to another level. When Kevin Punter took that final shot, it felt like the whole world stopped for a moment.”
If that shot had gone in, would it have been a failure?
“Maybe not logically, but emotionally, it would have felt like one. We would have been devastated. But we earned our Final Four ticket and reached the final, and that is what matters.”
Four seasons, four playoff appearances, four five-game series, and a Final Four every other year. What is the secret to that consistency?
“You said it, Consistency, but with a good dose of grit. We are building a culture where struggle has value, as in life, nothing is handed to you. Every Final Four we reach is fought for, and that makes it meaningful.”
Monaco’s salary cap was reportedly mid-tier last season. Now, Dubai and Hapoel Tel Aviv are entering with major financial resources, while you plan to increase the budget by only around ten percent. How do you stay competitive?
“Our rise has never been about outspending rivals. It is about culture and planning. We anticipated the market shift and acted early, locking in key players during the season. Many chose loyalty to Monaco, and that means a lot.”
The new arena has been a major talking point. What can you share about the project?
“European basketball is at a turning point. The product on the court is already elite; now the infrastructure must match it. We are not just building an arena for sport. We are creating a destination that will drive revenue, deliver immersive experiences, and anchor our business model. This venue will be a home for fans, a hub for partners, and a symbol of our ambition. It will not just serve Monaco; it should stand as a landmark for European basketball.”
And what is the larger vision for AS Monaco?
“The club is more than a team. It is a growth engine that creates jobs, contributes millions in taxes, and offers professional opportunities. To make this impact sustainable, we need the right framework so that passion and ambition translate into real value. That is what we are building.”
There is a lot of talk about the future of Skweek. How do you see it?
“The arena, the club, and Skweek are all part of one vision. Basketball in France and Europe is overflowing with talent and excitement, but too few are building the tools to unlock its full potential. Others benefit, and that is not acceptable; it’s simply bad business.
When we started Skweek, the audience for games was smaller than a typical arena crowd, and monetization was very small. Since then, Skweek has grown the business by over 400 percent. It is still early, but this is a long-term journey that takes belief, patience, and real investment; however, we cannot do it alone. Leagues, clubs, partners, everyone must commit time, resources, and energy. Only then can we turn this into a sustainable business model that benefits all stakeholders, the sport itself, and that is simply put, good business.”
PHOTO CREDIT: EuroLeague