The tiny hope of seeing Orleans basketball players in the Elite next season has just vanished. Penultimate of the 2021-2022 financial year, the OLB had not sportingly validated its maintenance in the Elite of French basketball. But a month ago Pau had been demoted to amateur level for financial reasons, failing twice on appeal before the financial policeman of the League. Orléans could therefore have taken the place of Pau, but local investors mobilized to buy the club a few days ago. This Monday evening, the Appeals Chamber of the French Basketball Federation decided to accept the re-engagement of Pau-Lacq-Orthez in Elite.
For Orléans, the decision makes sense after the bad season in the Elite: 12 wins, 22 losses. The Loiretans find the Pro B, three seasons after having left it. The club will now be able to focus on recruitment. The first match is scheduled against Angers in the Leaders Cup on September 23.