Real Madrid president Florentino Perez reportedly believes the NBA’s proposed European basketball competition could provide a blueprint for a similar structure in European football.
According to The Guardian, Perez has been closely following NBA Europe’s development, particularly its plans to combine permanent membership with qualification opportunities.
The proposed basketball competition would feature 12 permanent clubs in a 16-team league, providing selected organizations with guaranteed participation regardless of their domestic results.
Such a system could appeal to major European football clubs seeking greater financial security and long-term stability in continental competitions.
Perez was one of the leading figures behind the European Super League project, which collapsed shortly after its announcement in 2021 following widespread opposition.
Real Madrid formally withdrew from the project last year, four years after the original proposal failed.
Despite that setback, interest reportedly remains among major football clubs in a competition that would protect their participation at the highest European level.
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Perez previously pointed to EuroLeague’s shareholder-based structure as an example for the European Super League.
Now, his reported support for NBA Europe suggests he remains interested in establishing a similar competition model in football.
The NBA and FIBA are targeting the 2027-28 season for their proposed basketball league, although its final format remains subject to further development.
