“I don’t hide some fatigue”. It was the sentence dropped by Pascal Joye who therefore decided not to run for a new mandate from president. “Despite all these resignations recorded last season (8 in total: on the committee or in the entourage of the team), it was necessary to keep the course and not to leave the ship,” he added.
The one who remains on the committee and who will now occupy the function of technical director of the most successful club in Switzerland supported the candidacy of the vice-president. Patrick Grobéty was elected Wednesday evening during the general meeting which took place on the premises of the E group, one of the sponsors of Olympic. The new president will be able to count on a new committee trained in particular by Paul-Marie Currat (Finance) and Corentin Saez (sponsorship).
Vogt deficit and dismissal
Olympic’s financial situation is still worrying. After having recorded a heavy loss in the 2023-2024 season, a new deficit ends the last season: more than 124,000 francs. The club’s debt is now up to more than 172,000 francs.
I am an entrepreneur at heart and I like the challenge
So, isn’t it a risky bet to preside a club that hurts its finances? A question that we have directly asked to Patrick Grobety:
Despite this situation, the club obtained its game license from Swiss Basketball thanks to the gesture of a sponsor who wanted to remain anonymous. To improve finance, the club’s wage bill (players, staff and administration) has been reduced by around 40% for the new season. Manager Oliver Vogt will leave his post at the end of October: a dismissal justified by economic reasons.
“After two financially complicated seasons, you need to change,” said Patrick Grobéty. This economist, who has already invested personally in the club, is active in real estate, construction and marketing.
Positive fact: last season was marked by a strong increase in attendance in the Saint-Léonard room, with an increase of 40%.
Move in Bulgaria
From a sporting point of view, the new season will already start this weekend: Saturday afternoon, Olympic will be opposed to the French of Chalon in the 1st qualifying round of the Champions League. In the event of failure (three laps to be crossed) during these qualifications which will take place in Bulgaria, the club will not compete in Europe Cup which is located at the lower level. Then, the players of Thibaut Petit will go to Birsfelden for their first championship match against the Starwings: a duel agendé on October 1.
RadioFr. – Valentin Danzi
