The clubs of the Women’s Basketball League (LFB) and the Women’s League 2 (LF2) have carried out work in conjunction with the National Basketball Players’ Union (SNB) which has resulted in the desire for a return to 14 clubs per division, compared to 12 Currently.
On the sidelines of the Top 8 of the Coupe de France in Trélazé, the Federal Office met this Sunday March 17 and discussed this wish. In the process, the president of the LFB Carole Force responded in writing to the clubs. “The 14 arguments developed have caught the attention of the Federal Office without convincing it of the merits of an immediate evolution of the two divisions as you wish”she writes, expressing strong skepticism about this idea, eight years after the descent to 12 clubs.
The Federal Office estimates that if budgets have increased, the costs are much higher than in the past, adding that “certain clubs presented deficits in 2022-2023 compromising their sustainability”. Furthermore, Carole Force indicates that “the specifications are evolving in LFB” and “LF2 clubs are very late”. Otherwise, the density of the calendar, with the Coupe de France, the European Cups (EuroLeague and EuroCup) and the national team competitions – not forgetting the WNBA – limit the number of dates available for the regular season and the LFB playoffs. . A 14-a-side championship would require 35 available dates according to Carole Force, who also fears a “level dilution” even if “there are enough French players capable of playing in LFB” according to her.
Three conditions set to move to 14 clubs in LFB
In conclusion, the Federal Office does not seem to be in favor of this move to 14 clubs. “We strongly fear that a move to 14 teams from the two divisions, rapid and unprepared, plus a focus on a formula “with more matches” will strongly overshadow the primary need to structure the 14 LFB clubs and 14 LF2 clubs in line with the requirements of performance, training, and even level of play”, continues Carole Force in her letter addressed to the clubs. However, the door remains open for this return to 14. Here are the three conditions set by the Federal Office for this to become the case from the 2025-2026 financial year:
- 1/ Season n-1: At a minimum, two LF2 clubs have a budget equal to or greater than 80% of the average of the two lowest LFB club budgets; the way in which these budgets will be constituted will be assessed (in particular the share of the private partnership);
- 2/ Season n: At a minimum, three LF2 clubs have a budget equal to or greater than 80% of the average of the two lowest LFB club budgets; the way in which these budgets will be constituted will be assessed (in particular the share of the private partnership);
- 3/ Season n: At least four LF2 clubs have either a level 1 training center or an approved training center (if the Ministry authorizes it).
“If these conditions are met in season n, the decision will be taken by the FFBB Steering Committee in December of the same season and the option of a move to 14 in LFB will be implemented with an impact on LF2 and the NF1 », writes Carole Force, who says she is available to discuss with the clubs during the week. The former Challes-les-Eaux player also believes that the competition formula, with the possibility of eliminating playdowns “and the calendar elements for 2024-25 remain to be clarified quickly”. For this, she appeals to Yannick Souvré, the director of the LFB, to come back to her in order to move forward with this transition to 14 clubs.
2024-03-18 19:46:34
#LFB #LF2 #return #clubs
