After leading Team France to EuroBasket gold, San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker is the toast of the town in France. His status as one of the best French athletes is at an all-time high but this might upset a few in his home country.
According to French site La Nouvelle Republique, Parker is still stating he might leave French team ASVEL and is losing patience over the fact a new arena is not being built or any arena planning is being done for ASVEL where he is a co-owner and serves as Vice President of Basketball Operations.
"For now, I'm trying to be patient for Lyon Villeurbanne and see that I've been here since 2009. Sometimes it's true, it's a little hard to wait. One wonders why this is not going faster. We'll see how it goes."
"For six years they talk about an arena. We'll see. Anyway, I have a limit in my head. I cannot wait fifty years, that's for sure. Especially after what we just accomplished this summer (with the France team), things should move forward, "he said.
"I will not let the case. Whatever happens, if it does not happen in Lyon, it will happen elsewhere. It's just that I do not want to wait forever. But there is a story here and I 'like that happening here. People are motivated, especially after what just happened, "he has said.
The report goes on to say political figuresin the city of Lyon-Villeurbanne are trying to make things happen to open an 8,000 to 12,000 seat arena for ASVEL but nothing is set in stone. Moreover, the team's current arena is outdated and not basketball friendly, according to the report.
Hopefully this issue gets resolved soon so the most important of all factors, fans of ASVEL basketball, don't get robbed of enjoying the team.