By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
When Tony Parker became vice-president of ASVEL back in 2009, he had big plans. His priorities were creating a Euroleague-caliber team, building a new arena and founding a basketball academy in Villeurbanne, France. The project of the new arena is almost dead and as Parker seems to be on the exit door.
As he said to AFP (French news agency): “I will stay involved with the club because we are trying to build a team with coach Pierre Vincent and GM Laurent Foirest”. However, he added: “Maybe I will take a step back, because after three years of my involvement, I have the impression that nothing is moving forward. I try to be patient, but I am not a man with patience”.
The story does not end here. There are rumors in France about investors from Qatar who already bought PSG, the football club of Paris, and now want to create also a basketball powerhouse in the French capital. So, maybe Tony Parker is also heading there and as you may remember, he started his pro career as a player of Paris Basket Racing.