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The LNB decides ... that it is urgent to wait

2020-10-30T18:00:11.558Z


The GA of the LNB could not decide on a suspension of the season during confinement. “It can't last. If we played behind closed doors, half of the clubs will file for bankruptcy before the end of January. You can't imagine getting involved in that. ” This is what the president of the National Basketball League, Alain Béral, insists this Friday during an expected press conference. Alarmist. Simply realistic, knowing the economic model of French basketball. After the postponement of


“It can't last.

If we played behind closed doors, half of the clubs will file for bankruptcy before the end of January.

You can't imagine getting involved in that. ”

This is what the president of the National Basketball League, Alain Béral, insists this Friday during an expected press conference.

Alarmist.

Simply realistic, knowing the economic model of French basketball.

After the postponement of the next day in Jeep Elite and Pro B, the governing body of pro basketball in France had to decide on a possible suspension of the season during confinement.

The General Assembly was convened for this purpose.

Why think about it when the public authorities authorize the competitions to be played, and that other disciplines such as football will not relax?

“For us, playing without an audience, without partners, without VIPs, is to play without economy, explains President Béral, confirming the words he made in our pages last June.

We are told today, you can play, so you have to play.

But behind closed doors, it's very, very complicated. "

"Clubs could disappear very quickly"

Alain Béral

And the leader to continue, affirming that a game behind closed doors represents a loss of 100,000 to 180,000 € and that the aids, the guarantees are no longer the same as during the first confinement: "The economy of the clubs will be so impacted , that if we accept this to the end, well we will disappear, to be completely clear.

We do not have the same guarantees as in March, April, May and June, that there is aid for unemployment, social charges, which can compensate for a number of things.

Today this is not the case.

We are not sure of our activity.

When a club agrees to play behind closed doors at home, it loses the revenue, the VIPs, the sponsors if it is not broadcast.

In a model like the one we have developed, it is lethal. ”

Alain Béral ​​also believes that “clubs could disappear very quickly, for cash flow problems or payment default.

Very quickly, less than a few months.

There is no income.

You cannot tell a commercial enterprise to put in staff and there is no customer opposite.

The activity will stop naturally due to a lack of combatants. ”

However, there is no question of rushing the movement.

Admittedly, the situation is serious, but the GA decided… not to decide anything, and it will be up to the steering committee to decide between now and Tuesday.

Important parameter: "If we unilaterally decided to suspend the season, we would not be eligible for unemployment for our players and staff or for exemptions from social charges", specifies President Béral.

The arbitrations will be tense.

The Leaders Cup canceled

It should be noted that some clubs are willing to accommodate themselves behind closed doors, such as ASVEL.

“Just this month, we would be ready to do it, in the Euroleague and in the league, explained“ TP ”Thursday, after the loss of Lyon-Villeurbanne against Kaunas (74-83).

If it lasts longer, it will be a bit difficult but for now, I prefer not to speculate. ”

To which Alain Béral ​​replies: "The best financially equipped clubs could still ask to play at home behind closed doors, but even for them, it cannot go beyond mid-December."

There is a decision that was made this Friday: after the All Star Game last September, the Leaders Cup's turn to be canceled.

A traditional mid-season meeting, the tournament will not take place next February at Disneyland Paris.

(With AFP)

Read also

  • ASVEL: Tony Parker "ready" to put up with the closed door ... for a month

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-10-30

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