François Lamy, speaking from the club’s website, expressed the importance of thoroughly evaluating the prospect of JL Bourg’s entry into the Euroleague. He highlighted that this is a dream for many in basketball and therefore requires a serious and dedicated study, particularly to preserve the value of sporting merit.
Lamy, who has previous experience with ASVEL and Zalgiris Kaunas, understands the complexities of competition governance. He stressed that ambition and dreaming of reaching the top should not be exclusive to a financially protected elite, as this would disregard the passion of 99.99% of basketball enthusiasts. He assured that the club will examine all aspects carefully, acknowledging his familiarity with the general landscape of European basketball.
Regarding the requirements for participation, Lamy noted that the core criteria, such as the 5,000-seat arena for “associated club licenses,” have remained largely consistent. However, he pointed out that the introduction of Financial Fair Play mechanisms in 2024, including a salary floor that excludes payroll taxes, presents a significant disadvantage and perceived injustice for countries with high salary taxation. More impactful than the regulations themselves, Lamy believes, is the overall evolution of the financial landscape in global basketball. The general inflationary trend has driven average salaries to levels that were once considered top-tier. He mentioned that most Euroleague rosters now feature players with median annual salaries around one million euros net, a reality he did not experience before joining JL Bourg in 2022.
Before making any final decisions, JL Bourg intends to engage in extensive consultations. Lamy plans to connect with numerous directors of Euroleague clubs holding permanent licenses, as they are the ultimate owners of the competition. These discussions will aim to understand their aspirations for the Eurocup and the future of its winners. Lamy acknowledged the current uncertainty surrounding international basketball competitions, stating that while certainty can hinder progress, uncertainty can be detrimental. He will consult widely with current Euroleague leadership, not to “defend JL Bourg’s case,” but to thoroughly grasp the club’s potential place within the Euroleague. The findings from these consultations will be presented to the club’s leadership and President, who will make the ultimate decision. Lamy expressed confidence that whatever decision is made, it will be the right one and yield positive long-term effects.
Dream or Reality?
Having prior experience in developing club licensing strategies with ASVEL and working on competition governance with Zalgiris Kaunas, François Lamy views the Euroleague as a significant aspiration. He emphasized the critical need to study this opportunity seriously to uphold the principle of sporting merit. This principle, he argued, is vital for allowing a broad spectrum of individuals and clubs to pursue their ambitions, preventing basketball from becoming solely the domain of a financially privileged elite. Lamy believes this approach is crucial for respecting the passion of the vast majority of those involved in the sport.
The Requirements
Lamy explained that the fundamental requirements for Euroleague participation, such as the mandatory 5,000-seat arena for licensed clubs, have not changed significantly. However, he highlighted the impact of the 2024 Financial Fair Play regulations, particularly the salary floor, which excludes payroll taxes. He considers this unfair to countries with higher salary tax rates. The most significant shift, according to Lamy, is the overall escalation of financial realities in global basketball. Inflationary pressures have pushed average salaries to unprecedented levels, with many Euroleague teams boasting players earning around a million euros net annually – a trend that has emerged since he departed the Euroleague in 2022.
Discussion Before the Decision
Lamy plans to hold extensive discussions with various stakeholders to gather all necessary information for an informed decision. He maintains contact with many directors of Euroleague clubs with permanent licenses, recognizing their ownership role in the competition. These conversations will be essential for understanding their perspectives on the Eurocup and its future. Lamy acknowledged the current climate of uncertainty in international basketball competitions, noting that while certainty can stifle growth, uncertainty can be destructive. He will consult broadly with current Euroleague executives, not to advocate for JL Bourg, but to understand the club’s potential role in the Euroleague. The outcome of these consultations will be shared with the club’s leadership and President, who will ultimately decide. Lamy expressed confidence in their decision-making process and its potential for long-term positive outcomes.
English Translation
Dream or Reality?
I am fortunate to know the subject very well. I joined ASVEL in 2019 specifically with the objective of obtaining a permanent license, which we achieved in 2021. I then worked at Zalgiris Kaunas specifically on competition governance matters during a challenging period for the organization. It is obviously a dream, an ultimate goal for many basketball stakeholders, and as such, it creates a duty to study the subject seriously, particularly to avoid devaluing the notion of sporting merit. It is important to protect it because it allows many people to dream and have ambitions. Dreaming and aspiring should not be reserved for an elite protected by financial means. That would be ignoring the reality of 99.99% of people passionate about this sport. So, we will study everything seriously, not taking anything lightly, within a general context that I believe I know well.
The Specifications
The specifications have not evolved that much. The obligation for clubs with “associated club licenses” to have a 5,000-seat arena dates back almost to the beginning. The implementation of Financial Fair Play mechanisms in 2024 included a salary floor, with the added constraint that payroll costs are excluded from this calculation, which is extremely penalizing, and indeed unfair, for countries with high salary taxation. More than the specifications, it is the general financial reality that has evolved significantly. The general inflationary movement in the global basketball market has driven “average” salaries towards amounts that were top salaries just a few years ago. Most Euroleague rosters are made up of players with median annual salaries around one million euros net. That is very new, and I did not experience it since I left the Euroleague in 2022 when I joined JL.
Exchange Before THE Decision
We will exchange with many people to have all the elements to make the best decision. I am fortunate to have maintained contact with many directors of Euroleague clubs with permanent licenses, who, let’s not forget, are the owners of the Euroleague through their licenses. It is therefore important to exchange with them to also understand their aspirations and objectives for the Eurocup, and therefore for the winner of the Eurocup, this season but also in the future. We are in a phase with a lot of uncertainty in the landscape of international basketball competitions. And just as certainties are the enemies of progress, uncertainties are their annihilators. I will therefore consult many people, exchange with the current Euroleague management, not to “defend the case” of JL Bourg, but to fully grasp the place that this club project could have in the current Euroleague, and deliver the results of this consultation to the club’s management and the President, who ultimately are the ones who will make the final decision. I just know that whatever it is, it will be the right one, and it will have positive long-term effects.