Real Madrid has secured €20.5 million from NBA buyouts over the past decade, according to Nacho Duque of Marca.
The Spanish basketball powerhouse has seen seven players leave for the NBA during this period.
Guerschon Yabusele is the latest to join this trend, moving to the Philadelphia 76ers after his impressive Olympic performance.
Yabusele’s departure adds €2.5 million to Real Madrid’s total earnings from buyouts.
This trend began with Nikola Mirotic, who left for the Chicago Bulls in 2014, also contributing €2.5 million.
Other notable exits include Sergio Rodriguez, who brought in €2.5 million, and Luka Doncic, whose buyout was valued at €2 million.
Facundo Campazzo’s move to the Denver Nuggets marked the largest single buyout, earning Real Madrid €6 million.
Gabriel Deck and Usman Garuba added €2 million and €3 million, respectively, to the club’s coffers.
Despite these significant figures, the total amount earned does not cover even half of Real Madrid’s annual basketball budget.
This highlights the financial challenges faced by European clubs, even the most successful ones, in retaining top talent.
The €20.5 million, while substantial, underscores the reality that top European players often prioritize opportunities in the NBA.
Yabusele’s buyout, partially funded by the 76ers, also reflects the NBA’s influence.
Philadelphia contributed $800,000 toward Yabusele’s release, the maximum allowed by the NBA under its salary cap rules.
The remaining amount must be paid by Yabusele himself, reducing his earnings compared to what he made in Madrid.
This move represents a gamble for Yabusele, who seeks a larger contract in the future and the NBA’s lifetime pension for players with three or more seasons.
For Real Madrid, Yabusele’s departure is financially beneficial, especially as his contract was set to expire next summer.
