This season risks marking a turning point in the history of ASVEL. Indeed, according to information from Progressthe Rhone club should experience the same fate as ALBA Berlin. That is to say, leaving the Euroleague to play in BCL, FIBA’s flagship club competition, from the 2026/27 financial year.
A maneuver which would have a well-defined goal: to get closer to NBA Europe, which should be launched in the next two or three years. If the Lyon media clarified that nothing was yet official, it revealed that a meeting took place this Tuesday in Lyon, between representatives of the club and NBA Europe. During the latter, the team led by Tony Parker would have done “a giant step” towards obtaining permanent franchise status, reserved for only twelve clubs within the project.
Tony Parker, the asset that changes everything
The Villeurbanne president would also be the main reason why the NBA wishes to establish itself in the Lyon suburbs, alongside big markets like Paris, Rome and Barcelona. Indeed, his status as a legend of the Great League allowed him to become one of the ambassadors of the American league project in Europe, and therefore to attract its leaders to the Rhône.
If ASVEL is therefore on the verge of saying goodbye to the Euroleague after seven consecutive years of participation, the club is also well on its way to regaining financial stability. Weakened by recent sponsorship problems – notably with Skweek, the Rhone residents should soon see the light at the end of the tunnel, benefiting from greater visibility and attractiveness than ever from the NBA Europe side.
