AS Monaco has made a late attempt to find a new domestic competition for the 2026/27 season, approaching the ABA League with an offer worth €500,000 for a special invitation, according to Sport Klub.
The move comes after the French Basketball Federation rejected Monaco’s appeal and excluded the club from the French professional competition system. Despite reports that financing for the upcoming season has been secured, the decision has left Monaco without a domestic league and has also put its EuroCup participation in jeopardy.
Monaco has therefore turned toward the Adriatic League as a possible solution. Club officials have contacted the ABA League office and expressed their willingness to enter the competition immediately, even though preparations for the new season are already well advanced. As part of the proposal, Monaco is prepared to pay €500,000 for a wild card.
A 21st Team Would Force the ABA League to Change Its Format
Getting the deal approved, however, would require significant changes. The ABA League currently has 20 teams, which is the maximum allowed under its existing regulations. The competition has already been divided into two groups of 10 teams and the schedule has been drawn up. Adding Monaco as a 21st member would therefore require the league to modify its format, with one of the two groups potentially playing two additional games. That could create opposition, particularly from clubs already balancing ABA League commitments with demanding European schedules.
The possibility is nevertheless expected to be discussed. The ABA League Assembly is scheduled to meet on September 4, with several administrative matters already on the agenda, and Monaco’s request could also be considered at that meeting.
There is another complication involving EuroCup. Bosna Sarajevo is hoping to receive an additional invitation to the competition. If joining the ABA League allows Monaco to retain its place in EuroCup, Bosna would have an obvious reason to oppose the French club’s admission. Sport Klub also notes that Dubai, Bosna’s business partner, could take a similar position.
ABA League 2 Is the Alternative
One alternative would be for Monaco to enter ABA League 2 instead, although it remains unclear whether competing in the second-tier Adriatic competition would be enough for Euroleague Basketball to approve Monaco’s participation in EuroCup.
The timing makes Monaco’s proposal difficult to accommodate, but not necessarily impossible. The ABA League has expanded well beyond its traditional regional borders in recent years, adding clubs such as Dubai, Cluj, Vienna and Slovan.
Now Monaco is trying to become the next one, with €500,000 on the table and only days remaining before the ABA League clubs are expected to consider the proposal.