Tony Parker defends revised ASVEL Villeurbanne budget

Tony Parker, president and coach of the French basketball club ASVEL Villeurbanne, has defended the team’s revised budget following the collapse of a deal with a Malaysian investment fund. The failed agreement forced a significant reduction from an initial planned budget of 59 million euros to a final approved amount of 24 million euros by the DNCCG.

To protect the coaching staff, including Vincent Collet, Parker personally reduced his own salary from 1.2 million euros to 200,000 euros. Despite the setback, Parker noted that the new 24 million euro budget represents a nearly 30% increase over last year, making it the largest budget in French basketball.

Parker emphasized his commitment to a long-term project, stating he intends to remain with the club for the next 15 to 20 years. He acknowledged the disappointment regarding the original plans but maintained that the club's goal of sustained growth remains intact.