Monaco: Part of December salaries paid before victory in Nanterre
Betclic ELITE - While the financial crisis still shakes AS Monaco, players received part of their December salary during the weekend according to our information. Two days later, the Roca Team won against their runner-up Nanterre, without Mike James.
Photo Credit : Julie Dumélié
The sky isn’t always gray on the French Riviera. Amid the institutional and financial turbulence surrounding AS Monaco, there was at least one internal step in the right direction: according to our information, players received part of their December salaries over the weekend.
The payment came just two days before Monaco’s significant win over Nanterre 92 at Paris La Défense Arena, played in front of a record crowd for a French league game — more than 17,000 spectators.
A partial payment, via a third-party account
The partial payment did not come through the club’s standard accounts, but via a third-party channel, facilitated through contacts tied to president and majority owner Aleksej Fedorycsev. The remaining portion of December salaries was scheduled to be paid Monday, February 16.
In a climate where mounting delays had sparked tension inside the locker room — and even talk of strike action in recent weeks — the timing of that payment carried obvious weight.
Victory without Mike James
On the court, the Roca Team handled business in Nanterre — and did so without Mike James (1,85 m, 35 ans), who stayed in street clothes. “He is resting,” head coach Vassilis Spanoulis said afterward.
The timing, though, is hard to ignore. The EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer was absent just two days after posting a series of pointed tweets about the club’s situation. Even following the win over Baskonia, James returned to social media with additional messages — another reminder that, despite the result, the mood around Monaco’s offensive centerpiece remains unsettled.
Fedorycsev still in the game
This partial payment also shows that Aleksej Fedorycsev does not intend to let go easily. While the Principality is working on a takeover plan and the Société des Bains de Mer is mentioned as a transitional structure, the historic patron still seems to be seeking alternative solutions.
While this payment brings some relief to the locker room, it does not solve the underlying situation. January salaries remain pending, and the club’s institutional future still depends on upcoming decisions from the court and Monaco authorities.
But in the short term, the Roca Team has found some breathing room… and a prestigious success to accompany this financial respite. Especially as the coming week has two important objectives: beating ASVEL in the French Cup this Tuesday then winning the first l
🔙 Kevarrius Hayes de retour à l’entraînement avec Monaco et disponible à temps pour la Leaders Cup ?
→https://t.co/YMtvkwFFGc pic.twitter.com/F9QqAq6Hmo
— BeBasket (@Be_BasketFr) February 16, 2026
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve is the founder and editor-in-chief of BeBasket, which he has been running since 2010 (formerly known as Catch & Shoot). Having studied at the École Publique de Journalisme de Tours and two universities in North America, he has developed his expertise in French basketball, from the National League to amateur divisions, over the past 20 years. Alongside this, he is also involved in the development of clubs in the Montpellier area.
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