European basketball is on the verge of a historic transformation, with Real Madrid at the center of the revolution. According to Miguel Ángel Paniagua on El Partidazo de COPE, the club has practically finalized its entry into the future NBA Europe, a move that would definitively end its long-standing relationship with the EuroLeague. The agreement is said to be 99% complete and would see Real Madrid become one of the 12 founding clubs of the new North American-backed competition on European soil.

Set to launch in the 2027–28 season, NBA Europe will feature 12 permanent franchises, along with four additional spots awarded based on sporting merit. The negotiations have been led by Anas Laghrari, Florentino Pérez’s closest advisor, who has reportedly secured highly favorable conditions for the club. As a result, Real Madrid would pay a significantly lower entry fee than newly created franchises in major cities such as London, Rome, or Manchester.

Beyond the sporting appeal, the move represents a major financial opportunity. Projections suggest that within five or six years, the value of the Real Madrid basketball franchise could rise to around $1 billion, underlining the scale of the operation.

However, the decision also raises immediate questions. By committing to the NBA project, Real Madrid would exit the EuroLeague earlier than expected and, according to reports, would be unable to compete in the tournament next season.

This creates an unprecedented scenario for the 2026–27 campaign, a transitional year in which the club would need to participate in an alternative continental competition. The most realistic option appears to be the FIBA Basketball Champions League, which would be eager to welcome the Spanish giants ahead of their definitive switch to NBA Europe.

While Real Madrid moves decisively toward the new project, FC Barcelona has chosen a more cautious path, renewing its EuroLeague license for another 10 years, albeit with a €10 million exit clause should the NBA opportunity resurface in the future.

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