By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net/ Twitter.com/AStroggylakis
The expected partnership of Tony Parker with Nicolas Batum in ASVEL Villeurbanne, has become official, as the French club announced and the two NBA-ers made their first comments for their upcoming plans with the organization.
“ASVEL is a historic club in France. Tony has developed a real project and associated multiple actions related to the club,” said Batum. “Beyond the friendship that binds us, our mutual trust, I believe in the project of TP and I want to bring my stone to this edifice.”
Parker welcomed his longtime French NT mate in the ASVEL venture mentioning, “We are already working on a five-year development plan for ASVEL as a whole and Nicolas wished to have an operational role as Director of Basketball Operations of the ASVEL club, Lyon Basket and the Tony Parker academy. It is a role that suits him perfectly and he is already in action and in this direction within my group.”
Batum becoming a shareholder in the club becomes official less than two weeks after Tony Parker openly expressed his plans for the return of ASVEL to Eurocup next season. As the four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs has said time and again, his vision for ASVEL is to create a powerful organization that will eventually compete at the top level of European basketbal. A.K.A…. becoming a EuroLeague regular.
With the Charlotte Hornets swingman entering the picture, what is an already big budget for the French league standards (ASVEL operates on €7.3 million, more than any other Pro A club) will most likely get catapulted en route to the team’s participation in the 2017/2018 EuroCup, if things go as planned. With the goal being quite obvious.
The prize of winning the EuroCup encompasses much more than a large cup for the trophy case. The truly valuable perk that comes with the title is a golden ticket to EuroLeague. Batum’s (who signed a five-year/$120 million contract extension with the Hornets last summer) partnership can enhance the financial strength of the club significantly enough for the creation of a roster that might transform ASVEL to a major EuroCup title contender. And subsequently, make them a favorite to join the 2018/2019 EuroLeague, thus bringing forth the realization of Parker’s dream for the franchise.