President of the Roca Team, Alekszej Fedoricsev, outlined the key development priorities of the AS Monaco basketball club in an interview with Eurohoops, reflecting on a historic season that culminated in the team reaching the EuroLeague final.
He recalled that AS Monaco only joined the EuroLeague in 2021, yet has already reached the Final Four twice in just three seasons, falling just one step short of the title this May in Abu Dhabi. The team is now entering a new phase with a moderate budget and an ambitious new arena project. According to Fedoricsev, Monaco’s example proves that a stable strategy and long-term planning can compete even with the wealthiest projects coming out of Dubai and Tel Aviv.
Speaking about the team’s achievements, Fedoricsev emphasized that Monaco’s success stems from structure and persistence.
“Reaching the Final Four is not just about sacrifice — it’s about the fight. Only when you’ve truly fought for something can you understand its real value,” he said.
The president believes it is precisely this mindset that helps the club maintain stability: in four consecutive EuroLeague seasons, Monaco has consistently made the playoffs and reached the final stage twice.
“Yes, it hurts to fall short of the ultimate goal. But this defeat won’t break us — it will only intensify our hunger to come back even stronger,” he added, commenting on the May final in Abu Dhabi.
Fedoricsev stressed that AS Monaco is one of the few EuroLeague clubs to have achieved top-tier results without dramatically inflating its budget.
“From the very beginning, our rise wasn’t driven by higher spending than others. Our growth was fueled by culture, not excess,” Fedoricsev explained. According to the president, the key to maintaining Monaco’s competitiveness has been proactive work with players throughout the season. “We anticipated that the market would become more challenging, especially with the EuroLeague expanding to 20 teams. That’s why we acted early, extending contracts with our key players. I’m proud that so many of them chose loyalty to the club,” Fedoricsev noted.
He said the club’s salary budget will increase by about 10% next season — enough to keep the team’s core intact while making a few strategic additions:
“We believe we have a solid foundation, so there’s no need for a major overhaul — only targeted reinforcements.”
A central part of the club’s vision is the construction of a new arena. Fedoricsev sees this project as the backbone of a long-term business model. “The new venue will generate revenue, deliver unforgettable experiences, and serve as the cornerstone of our entire business model. It will be a home for our fans, a magnet for our partners, and a powerful symbol of our ambitions. We’re not building a traditional arena — we’re creating a unique space that stands out and serves broader purposes,” said the Monaco president.According to him, the future of European basketball demands not only elite-level performance on the court, but also infrastructure that can compete with the world’s best sports facilities.
Fedoricsev also mentioned the Skweek platform in the interview, emphasizing that it is part of the club’s broader strategy. He said the project has shown impressive growth over the past two years, increasing its business by over 400% since launch.
“It’s still just the beginning, but this is a long-term journey that requires belief, patience, and real investment. That said, we can’t do it alone. Leagues, clubs, partners — everyone must commit time, resources, and energy. Only then can we build a sustainable model that benefits all stakeholders — and the sport itself. And frankly, it’s also good business,” Fedoricsev concluded.
