Former Monegasque football financier, through his company Fedcom, Alekszej Fedoricsev fell into the basketball pot in 2021. The signing of Mike James was his first big move. That of coach Spanoulis on November 27 also looks like a very big pickaxe.
The Hungarian president of Russian origin will once again be in the front row this evening in Berlin where the ASM is entering the year in a position of leader in the Euroleague. Always with his red scarf about to become famous.
President, what if we had told you on the evening of November 27 that ASM would end the year at the top of the Euroleague?
Let’s be honest, we share first place (with Olympiakos) and the positions are very close… But I like the new identity of the Roca Team. The players give 200% and they are the ones who ask to go out. This is a clear sign of everyone’s investment.
The Spanoulis effect can also be measured in the game…
Monaco goes quickly and shares the ball better. I think Vassilis showed from day one why he is considered one of the most promising European coaches. He is a fierce competitor, hence his incredible reputation. Vassilis has a visionary side. He has a deep and I would say, unique understanding of the game. He perceives both the technical and emotional aspects. We wanted a leader who could instill his mentality. We see his ability to inspire players.
Was recruiting a big name a priority for you?
Yes. For the club, it wasn’t just about recruiting a coach; it is a strategic decision which reflects our ambition to raise the status of Monaco. We want to take an increasingly important part on the basketball map.
How did you experience the negotiations when your general director, Oleksiy Yefimov, visited Spanoulis in Greece?
I remember contacting Oleksiy when he was returning from Salonika, with a stopover in Zurich. My first question was: ”Why didn’t you call me right after the meeting?” His answer was simple: ”I completely lost track of time while speaking with Vassilis and I almost missed my flight. He is truly inspiring, he has a devotional relationship with basketball. I would love to work with him. I then asked: ”Apart from his dedication to basketball, what sets him apart? Oleksiy replied: ”He’s a family man. Family means everything to him.” These two answers were enough for me. These are values that I share. I want Roca Team to feel like a family.
Game quality is the priority
On December 12, ASM won by 30 points at Fener (99-69). What do you say to your new coach that evening?
Quite simply: ”Well done, you’ve made Monaco proud again.” There was the victory and the strong style.
The Roca Team on pole to start the year: how do you see the objective of the Final Four?
This first place is an important achievement, but there is still a long way to go. I share Coach Spanoulis’ philosophy that maintaining a challenger mentality will bring us closer to our goals. They are ambitious. We changed coaches when our position was relatively good because we were concerned about the quality of our basketball. The actual ranking is less important than the game produced.
Financially, the club is stable
Your vision for the evolution of ASM?
Monaco has become a respected and attractive name in European basketball. The rooms fill up when we move. Our goal now is to strengthen the Roca Team brand. AS Monaco creates a feeling of community. The club has developed a loyal fan base. This is important for the long term. This comes at a time when French basketball is booming. Monaco is perfectly placed to lead this growth.
At the same time, what can you say about the rumors of ASM’s financial difficulties?
I have been hearing these rumors for a long time, but I can promise and guarantee that Roca Team is in a stable position. We have made substantial investments to ensure the club’s competitiveness, both on and off the pitch. Like any organization, we may encounter challenges, but we have established a solid foundation that allows us to move forward with confidence. We remain focused on sustainability and long-term growth.
Speaking of challenges, what about your relationship with Tony Parker? In a recent interview with ”L’Equipe”, the boss of ASVEL declared: ”The problem with Skweek (editor’s note: the TV channel belonging to the Fedcom group and sponsor of ASVEL), is that he doesn’t pay. If he paid on time, there would be zero problems. There, it puts pressure on me on a daily basis, on the cash flow. Your location?
The fact is, I always supported Tony and his project because I believed it added value to the entire basketball ecosystem. My focus was and remains focused on the overall growth of the league. Yes, it is true that Skweek faced initial payment delays. However, ASVEL has now received almost three times more revenue from this deal than any French basketball club has ever earned from jersey sponsorship. I invite ASVEL to consult its bank statements, which will confirm that the Skweek operation was one of the most successful marketing operations in the history of the club and even that of French basketball.
The fact that the president of the ASM participates in the financing of ASVEL may have surprised…
I invest my own financial resources to create opportunities for French basketball as a whole. I have never hesitated to invest when I believe in something. Some may say that I am strengthening a direct competitor, but this perspective is short-sighted. For what ? Because fostering stronger rivalries elevates the league as a whole. To drive sustainable growth, we need more engines. This is what really matters for the future of basketball.
On a personal level, you don’t regret investing in basketball?
How could I? The evenings at Gaston-Médecin, the communion of the Roca Team with the fans, it’s just magical.
