AS Monaco presents a record LNB budget ahead of Asvel
Runner-up to Asvel in the budget rankings of the French Championship in recent seasons, AS Monaco took pole position at the start of the 2022-2023 season. According to figures released Wednesday by the National Basketball League (LNB), the Rock club has a projected budget of 20.7 million euros, the highest in the history of French basketball. An increase of 47% compared to last year (14.1 million)! Vice-champion of France in June, Monaco steals the record from its executioner: Asvel, second with 15.7 million euros.
Behind the two Euroleague clubs, the gap is huge. After a turbulent off-season around an ultimately aborted merger with Nanterre, Boulogne-Levallois retains third place (7.3 million) ahead of Strasbourg (6.9) and Limoges (6.5). Boosted by the two Rhone and Monegasque locomotives, the average budget of elite clubs also broke a record with 6.8 million euros, just like in Pro B with 2.6 million.
10.8 million euros granted to salaries in Monaco
Freed from the restrictions linked to Covid-19, the LNB can also be satisfied with seeing all the budgets progress or remain stable. Only Pau-Orthez experienced a spectacular fall. Narrowly saved from demotion this summer after a change of ownership, Elan Béarnais sees its projected budget fall to 5.4 million euros, 32% less than that announced (but not kept) by the American group CSG, who handed over control of the club.
AS Monaco is also at the top of the other economic data unveiled by the LNB on Wednesday: the wage bill. On the Rock, it soars by 60% after XXL recruitment (Okobo, Moerman, Loyd) and the extensions of executives like Mike James. With 10.8 million euros paid in salaries, the Principality club also broke a French basket record, far ahead of Asvel (4.2 million) and Boulogne-Levallois (2.4).