Tony Parker backs ASVEL to compete for trophies

Tony Parker believes ASVEL can remain a trophy contender despite the club abandoning plans for a much larger budget. The former France and San Antonio Spurs point guard, who serves as the Villeurbanne club’s president and coach, said the team’s current resources are sufficient to build a competitive squad.

ASVEL’s budget is €24 million for the season, an increase of €6 million, or 30%, from the previous campaign. That remains the largest budget in French basketball, although it falls well short of the €59 million plan linked to financing from a Malaysian fund. The DNCCG rejected that arrangement, preventing the club from completing the project on schedule.

Parker described the outcome as frustrating but said he remains committed to ASVEL over the long term. He indicated that the expansion plan could be delayed by a year and confirmed that discussions with investment funds are continuing under confidentiality agreements. Parker, who has been the club’s majority shareholder since 2014, also said he would retain his stake regardless of how those talks develop.

For now, ASVEL will concentrate on its season in the EuroLeague, a competition Parker considers important for the club and European basketball. He also said the NBA and EuroLeague are discussing the creation of NBA Europe, adding that he hopes an agreement can be reached and that he has sought to act as a link between the two organisations.