Tony Parker, the art of rebounding

Posted today at 02:28, updated at 06:19

One day, for sure, Tony Parker will ski ” alone “. It was his goal for the winter – one ambition among others, as the former basketball star has been active in all directions since he retired from sports in 2019. “Skiing alone”, no longer stupidly crossing his spatulas and avoiding nose-snow contact, he had promised himself after his arduous debut on the children’s slopes at Villard-de-Lans (Isère) last winter. Guillaume Ruel, his private teacher in the Vercors, had shown his confidence in him: “Tony is tall, he has a fairly high center of gravity, it’s normal that he has some apprehension, but he’s going to get there, no doubt about it!” “ Doubt, a psychological brake that Tony Parker, 38, seems unaware of.

An athlete with an exceptional mind, the young retiree from the prosecution holds one of the finest achievements in French sport: four league titles in the American professional basketball league, the NBA, European champion with the French team, in 2013. And since he switched to the business world full time, his other passion is still flawless, nurtured by daring and interpersonal skills. Does he offer himself a basketball club, Asvel-Lyon-Villeurbanne, of which he becomes president in 2014 – the team is champion of France in 2016 and 2019, then benefits from an invitation to compete in the Euroleague , the European competition that would like to compete with the American NBA. Does he become the majority shareholder, in 2018, of the company which manages the ski lifts of Villard-de-Lans – the Isère resort is hosting a stage of the Tour de France in 2020. Health crisis requires, the spotlight will not have however “Not brought the expected benefits”, regrets Tony Parker, his back straight on the sofa of a large Parisian hotel where he entered alone, at the beginning of December, without a bodyguard or press officer, a masked smile and a fist to fist salute.

Read also Tony Parker entered the San Antonio Spurs Hall of Fame

As at the height of his athletic career, when his annual income was estimated at $ 15 million, Tony Parker advances in his business with qualities close to those he displayed in the basketball halls. “Agile and determined”, note his interlocutors. “Gifted, with a rather intuitive knowledge of the business”, appreciates Jean-Michel Aulas, president of Olympique Lyonnais (OL, football), who welcomed him to the OL Groupe board of directors. “Smart”, corrects, less complimentary, another local boss, Olivier Ginon, president of the event giant GL Events. “Impatient”, too. “Without wanting to disrespect the newspaper The world, we are still not at a Victoria’s Secret shoot ”, he jokes when the photoshoot stretches a little too much for his liking.

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