Real Madrid seems determined to take the step towards the NBA. According to information fromASthe club from the Spanish capital made the decision to accept the offer from the North American league and abandon the EuroLeague to embark on this new adventure planned for 2027.
Negotiations between Real Madrid and the NBA have progressed, although no final agreement has yet been signed. Dialogue remains ongoing in what should be a revolutionary alliance for European basketball. The NBA, taking advantage of regular season matches organized on European soil, launched a series of contacts with investors to offer them the opportunity to join the future NBA Europe.
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đź“ť In the key hours of continental basketball, Real Madrid is approaching the NBA: it is about to give the OK to participate in the new league proposed by the Americans
✍️ @maestrebasket @AS_baloncesto @AS_NBA pic.twitter.com/tJmV8cQgAY
— Diario AS (@diarioas) January 14, 2026
A 16-team project that divides basketball Europe
The NBA Europe project provides for the participation of 16 teams each season: twelve with a fixed license and four qualified via other competitions, including the BCL. This new competition aims to involve football clubs without a basketball tradition (Rome, PSG, Manchester), to develop markets such as London and Berlin, and to explore Turkey.
This initiative is being developed in partnership with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), in direct opposition to the EuroLeague which has been waging a war for control of the Old Continent for nine years. For Real Madrid, this change represents a major transformation, not only in the basketball paradigm, but also on a commercial level.
Coach Sergio Scariolo spoke about this transition last summer: “This moment of change is part of a very important transition in European basketball. We are heading towards a new era, with different scenarios in the competition. The structural change within the club demonstrates modernization and a more focused look at the way things are done in the NBA. »
The EuroLeague tries to save the furniture
Faced with this NBA offensive, the EuroLeague established an unofficial ultimatum of January 15 to know the clubs’ intentions. Nine teams have already signed for ten years: Baskonia, Anadolu Efes, Bayern, Zalgiris, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Olimpia Milan, Panathinaikos, Olympiakos and CSKA Moscow (still in the game). FC Barcelona ultimately chose to stay in the EuroLeague, while reserving the possibility of paying a penalty to join the NBA.
Fenerbahçe and Real Madrid are leaning more towards the NBA, while ASVEL, initially favorable to the Americans thanks to Tony Parker, is moving back slightly and does not rule out renewing with the EuroLeague. This battle for the future of European basketball is completely redrawing the landscape of the discipline, with Real Madrid spearheading the NBA Europe project.
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While new revelations are likely to fall throughout the day this Thursday, January 15, with probably the final position of Fenerbahçe – reigning EuroLeague champion – and ASVEL, other clubs which do not hold a permanent license have taken advantage by taking action by joining forces with a view to tilting ECA (Euroleague Commercial Assets) in their favor.
It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will play the Champions League (BCL) in addition to the Liga Endesa in 2026-2027, during a transitional season.
