Ronaldinho Gaúcho proposes takeover of AS Monaco Basket

Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho Gaúcho, in partnership with the Andorra-based investment fund Clayton Sport, has submitted an official proposal to acquire the AS Monaco Basket basketball club. The bid comes as the club faces a severe financial crisis and has been excluded from French professional competitions.

The formal letter of intent, sent to executive director Oleksiy Yefimov on August 10, outlines a multi-step financial recovery plan. This includes the immediate settlement of 2.5 million euros in outstanding debts with the EuroLeague, a 5 million euro bank guarantee, and a projected annual investment of approximately 10 million euros over a three-to-five-year period.

Despite the scale of the offer, the acquisition process is competitive. Jamal Mashburn, a former NBA All-Star, is leading a rival project through Helen Holdings and has reportedly been in negotiations with club officials for several weeks. The club is currently appealing its exclusion from French competitions to the French Olympic Committee, with a deadline of August 18.