A Strategic Shift in French Basketball
The recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to a consortium led by media veteran Mark Walter marked the end of an era for the Buss family, who had owned the franchise for decades.
Just months later, the same ownership group, bolstered by Disney chief Bob Iger and venture‑capitalist Josh Kushner, completed a $12.5 billion acquisition that reshaped the NBA landscape.
Now the Buss family is turning its attention to European basketball, entering advanced negotiations to purchase ASVEL, the French club that has struggled financially despite a strong on‑court résumé.
ASVEL, based in Villeurbanne, is owned and coached by former NBA star Tony Parker, who took over the helm after the 2025–26 LNB Élite season and has been overseeing a squad that finished fourth with a 20‑10 record.
The club’s valuation is estimated at €120 million, but sources close to the deal suggest a purchase price somewhere between €60 million and €80 million, reflecting both the asset’s potential and its recent fiscal turbulence.
Financial pressures stem from a series of ill‑fated budget partnerships and a recent roster overhaul that saw several key players sold off, leaving the team with a thin roster ahead of the EuroLeague’s September 24 kickoff.
If the transaction proceeds before the end of the year, the acquisition could revitalize ASVEL’s competitiveness and provide the Buss family with a strategic foothold in the continent’s premier competition.
The move also raises questions about the future of the club’s management structure, with Parker’s dual role as coach and owner likely to evolve under new ownership.