AS Monaco Basket was thrown a financial lifeline after players who had gone unpaid for several months threatened strike action, prompting the French National Basketball League to step in with an emergency advance of €500,000 to stabilise the club…
The situation had become increasingly tense in recent weeks, with members of the Roca Team reportedly considering refusing to play ahead of last weekend’s scheduled fixture against Chalon. The prospect of a strike — and potentially further forfeits — raised serious concerns for the league, broadcasters and supporters, particularly with high-profile matches and large ticket sales at stake.
According to Monaco Matin, the intervention followed assurances from Monaco’s authorities that key financial obligations linked to the club would soon be settled. Those guarantees persuaded the league to authorise a temporary advance to cover overdue salaries and avoid immediate disruption to the championship.
The decision was also driven by wider concerns about the competition’s credibility and commercial commitments. A withdrawal or boycott by Monaco’s players would have risked damaging the image of the league at a time when visibility and broadcast partnerships remain crucial for French basketball’s growth.
The €500,000 is understood to be an advance rather than a long-term solution, with repayment expected once outstanding payments tied to the club’s financial obligations are resolved. League officials were reportedly reassured that these funds would be forthcoming in the near future.
For now, the emergency support has allowed Monaco’s players to return to the court and the season to continue, but the episode has cast a spotlight on the club’s fragile financial situation and the urgent need for stability behind the scenes.
Image: BeBasket