Farvest Group (DR) / beIN Sports (DR)
A member of the board of OL Groupe since July 2020, Tony Parker suddenly left it a few weeks ago, following the arrival of a new investor at Olympique Lyonnais. A move surrounded by questions so far, which it has just answered!
Irreproachable over the past few years, his record as the big boss of ASVEL has turned out to be much less sparkling this season. Tony Parker thus discovers the other side of the coin as the main leader of a sports team. The pale form of the Villeurbannais earned him heavy criticism from fanswhich obviously makes him one of the main culprits for these poor results.
Not one to abandon ship as soon as he encounters a first obstacle, the former NBA point guard turns his back, hoping that his players will manage to rectify the situation. A mentality necessary to exercise this kind of position, and why not one day that of president of Olympique Lyonnais, as he has already mentioned in the past. This project, however, suffered a major setback a few weeks ago.
Tony Parker puts his rise to OL on hold
Following the merger between Olympique Lyonnais and ASVEL undertaken in recent years, Parker had inherited a seat on the board of OL Groupe. Seat which he suddenly left last December, as revealed by Jean-Michel Aulas in person, on the sidelines of the arrival of John Textor at the head of the club. A surprising start to say the least, which came back with franchise TP at the microphone of Canal+ :
Tony Parker owner of OL in 2025 after the departure of Aulas ❓
????️ “You have to see with John Textor how we can discuss” pic.twitter.com/WYSLMjbF8y
— CANAL+ Sport (@CanalplusSport) January 21, 2023
John came with his team, and there could only be so many on the board. As I was very busy with all my activities, I left by mutual agreement, so that they can do their thing, and we will see in three years when Jean-Michel will no longer be there. We have very, very good discussions with John. We have to see how we can discuss.
Parker is therefore not completely closing the door to OL and its new leader, but prefers to focus on his many other functions for the time being. All this, without forgetting to recall his n°1 objective for the future, which will certainly take precedence over football if it becomes achievable:
For now, I prefer to focus on my activities and my ultimate dream is the NBA. I can’t do everything.
Simple interruption in his adventure with Olympique Lyonnais, or real end of his mandate within the Lyon club? Tony Parker does not seem to know the answer, which should be clarified according to the opportunities that will be offered to him in the NBA!
