The Buss brothers have exclusive rights to negotiate the purchase of ASVEL until the start of November, according to Aris Barkas, as Tony Parker works through discussions over a potential change in ownership of the French club.
The Buss family previously owned the Los Angeles Lakers, and its potential investment in ASVEL would bring one of the NBA’s most recognizable ownership families into European basketball.
Parker is already involved in negotiations over a possible sale, with reports that discussions with the Buss family are expected to continue beyond the original September target. An agreement is now considered more likely before the end of 2026.
The ownership talks come during a significant financial reset for ASVEL. The club had initially planned an offseason budget of approximately €59 million, but the French basketball financial regulator DNCCG rejected a Malaysian investment partner after determining that it was not sufficiently reliable.
That decision reduced ASVEL’s projected budget to around €24 million and forced the club to make major changes to its roster. New additions Sylvain Francisco, Daniel Theis, Armoni Brooks and Nick Weiler-Babb have been either signed by other teams or loaned out.
ASVEL is coming off a difficult EuroLeague season, finishing 20th and last in the 2025-26 regular-season standings with an 8-30 record. The club had a minus-281 point differential and won only two of 19 road games.
Parker is now balancing the ownership discussions with his new coaching responsibilities. He is preparing for his first season as a professional head coach, with the club’s roster still requiring additional pieces, particularly in the backcourt.
Patty Mills is expected to handle significant guard duties, with Edwin Jackson and Both Gach providing additional perimeter options. ASVEL is still expected to add at least two more guards and potentially another wing.
The potential sale is taking place against the backdrop of major changes being discussed for European basketball. The NBA and EuroLeague are exploring their future relationship, while reports have also emerged of a possible NBA acquisition of EuroLeague.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that discussions between the NBA and EuroLeague are ongoing, saying the parties are working toward what he described as a “historic opportunity.”
EuroLeague is also preparing for its own expansion, with the competition planning to grow from 20 to 24 teams for the 2027-28 season.
