Basketball: the Monaco club “has no financial problem”, assures its executive director

Mr. Fedoricsev “will be there for a long time” and the Principality club “has no financial problems” assured Mr. Yefimov before the reception of Zalgiris Kaunas on Thursday in the Euroleague, while the broadcaster Skweek, also owned by the man Russian-Hungarian business partnership, has not honored certain debts.

Does the course of the “Roca Team”, currently third two days before the end of the regular season, meet your expectations? Oleksiy Yefimov: We expected a complicated season in the Euroleague. All the teams are stronger than last year. The new format (establishment of a play-in for clubs classified from 7th to 10th place, Editor's note) involves many clubs in the race for qualification, like our opponent Kaunas. We will be satisfied when the home advantage in the play-offs (Top 4, editor's note) is validated. At a minimum, the Top 6, to ensure Monaco's presence for the next Euroleague (Monaco, which benefits from an invitation, will automatically qualify for the next season in the event of participation in the play-offs, Editor's note). Then, of course, aim for the Final 4 (in which the club participated for the first time in 2023, Editor's note). In the league, we want to remain the dominant club.

Having to ensure a European Top 6 to stay in the Euroleague does not help stability...Two points are essential for a sustainable project: generating income allowing a clear financial strategy, having a permanent license. It is dangerous for us to continue in the current format and depend solely on sporting results. We are working to improve both. We are in constant dialogue with the Euroleague and the clubs (shareholders) to convince them of the mutual benefits, if Monaco obtained a permanent license. Our image is good. After three seasons, we are already seen as an integral part of the ecosystem. I am confident in the future.

That is to say? Diplomacy remains important because clubs do not all have the same objectives. But, if all goes well, soon we will be able to make these discussions a reality.

Despite the eternal question of a possible new hall to replace the current one, whose capacity (4,560 seats) does not comply with the standards expected by the Euroleague? Ideally, we aim for an approved hall in Monaco, managed by the club and which would allow us to develop our Monegasque identity project.

Will you keep the same budget next season? Yes, in the same amounts as this season (27.5 million euros, Editor's note).

So President Fedoricsev will stay...He will be here for a long time! You only have to see his eyes during matches, he is passionate. He is the basic man of the project. He has a long-term vision for the club. He knows where he wants to take the Roca Team and how to develop this project.

But he is losing a lot of money! We are all here to achieve a sustainable project. His commitment is stronger than ever. Every morning, I wake up wanting to help our club grow. There is still so much to do. He knows that it is not easy and that it takes time. But he also knows how to achieve it.

Is ASM impacted by the financial difficulties of Skweek, which it owns? For the moment, our financial situation is very clear, very stable. The club has no financial problems. We remain very realistic about our possibilities, without perceiving the slightest financial problem.

At the end of March, Skweek had not paid Asvel two-thirds of the 7.5 million euros he owes it this season as a partner. Could the relationship between presidents Fedoricsev and Tony Parker suffer from this situation? In Lyon (during Asvel-Monaco in the Euroleague on March 28, Editor's note), I saw Mr. Fedoricsev almost on the players' bench. He is involved, confident, present. As for Tony (Parker), even though we are the biggest rivals on the field, we are the biggest companions off it. Our common goal is the success of French basketball. The partnership between Skweek and Monaco is very positive. I am convinced that the one between Skweek and Asvel is perceived in a similar way to Villeurbanne. We grow together. Skweek (broadcaster of the championship and the Euroleague, Editor's note) helps to develop all of French basketball. Before, we didn't see basketball in France. Today, thanks to Skweek, this product is visible. We all became more attractive.