Liège Basket Faces Uncertain Future
The future of Liège Basket in the upcoming BNXT League season is becoming increasingly uncertain. The Liège club, which finished in the top 4 in both Belgium and the ENBL (European competition), is struggling to find a new owner to succeed American investor Ernie Cambo. We spoke with the club’s director, François Ancion, to get an update on the situation.
Since the announcement of American investor Ernie Cambo’s departure at the end of May, club director François Ancion has been actively searching for a potential buyer. After several weeks of searching, the prospects of participating in the next BNXT League, a Belgian-Dutch championship that typically starts in late September, are not looking good. “There have been two potential buyers interested in taking over the club. I had a meeting on Monday evening, but it did not lead to anything. At the moment, there is no prospect of a buyout,” stated François Ancion. “These individuals are impressed with the club’s performance, attendance, and development over the past season. However, they are surprised by the lack of public support. In this context, and without any other options, we are heading towards the end of the club’s structure.”
Without a concrete proposal for a takeover, the director has already informed the professional players under contract. “Out of respect, I have informed our professional players like Brieuc Lemaire, Olivier Troisfontaines, and Moussa Noterman. They can now start looking for a new team for the 2024-2025 season.”
With the renewed enthusiasm and strong performances displayed in the last season, the disappearance of Liège Basket from the top level would be a huge loss for Liège sports. “Only a miracle could save Liège Basket,” concluded François Ancion.
It is important to note that the club based at the Country Hall has no debt. When Ernie Cambo arrived in December 2022, he initially cleared €900,000 of debts before investing between €1.5 and €2 million to rebuild the team and coaching staff within 18 months to compete at the top level in the BNXT League. However, Cambo’s weariness towards the BNXT League management and the lack of support from the Liège community (both politically and economically) especially regarding the stadium issues (plans to demolish the Country Hall in favor of a new velodrome) led the American investor to step back.
The future of Liège Basket remains uncertain, but the club’s legacy and achievements in recent years make it a significant loss for the local sports scene.