LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has publicly addressed the monetary state of affairs that led to the departure of star guard Sylvain Francisco, confirming {that a} revised price range for the 2026-27 season compelled the membership to regulate its plans regardless of its long-term ambitions.
The French membership launched a press release on Thursday explaining that its shareholders had finalized a brand new price range authorized by France’s monetary watchdog, the DNCCG, on July 29. Whereas the price range retains the membership on steady footing, ASVEL acknowledged it falls in need of its unique expectations and has an instantaneous influence on the crew’s payroll.
Membership president and new head coach Tony Parker mentioned the group had spent months engaged on an formidable mission and had held superior discussions that gave it confidence it might construct a bigger price range for the upcoming season. Nonetheless, Parker defined that negotiations with potential companions and buyers have taken longer than anticipated, forcing the membership to cut back wage commitments initially of the season.
“These delays don’t name our mission into query,” Parker mentioned within the membership’s assertion. “It’s one other step in its growth.” He added that buyers who had already dedicated to becoming a member of the mission have reaffirmed their confidence, whereas the membership continues working to finalize their involvement and preserve its long-term home and EuroLeague targets.
The announcement got here shortly after Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens confirmed the signing of Francisco to a three-year contract. Francisco had solely agreed to affix ASVEL in late June in what was offered as one of many membership’s most vital acquisitions lately. As an alternative, monetary constraints led ASVEL to simply accept a buyout, permitting the French worldwide to maneuver to the Greek powerhouse.
Francisco arrives in Athens after probably the greatest particular person seasons in EuroLeague. Enjoying for Zalgiris Kaunas in 2025-26, the 28-year-old averaged 16.7 factors, 6.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 38 EuroLeague video games whereas taking pictures 45.2% from the sector, 39.9% from three-point vary and 80.0% on the free-throw line.
His manufacturing earned him EuroLeague MVP of the Month honors for October, MVP awards for Rounds 7 and 29, and a spot on the All-EuroLeague First Staff. Francisco completed second within the league’s MVP voting behind Olympiacos ahead Sasha Vezenkov after rating second in assists, seventh in scoring and fourth in Efficiency Index Score at 19.2.
Francisco additionally helped Zalgiris end fifth within the regular-season standings with a 23-15 document, securing the Lithuanian membership’s first EuroLeague playoff look in three years. Domestically, he guided Zalgiris to each the Lithuanian League and Lithuanian Cup titles for the second consecutive season.
His arrival considerably strengthens a Panathinaikos squad coming into a brand new period beneath head coach Zeljko Obradovic following the departure of Ergin Ataman. The seven-time European champions completed seventh in final season’s common season with a 22-16 document earlier than shedding a five-game playoff sequence to Valencia.
In the meantime, ASVEL enters the brand new marketing campaign going through a special problem. After ending final within the 2025-26 EuroLeague standings at 8-30, the French membership has already reshaped its roster with additions together with Nick Weiler-Babb, Armoni Brooks, Each Gach and Yves Pons.
