NBA star part of consortium aiming to buy Crystal Palace stake

One of the best basketball players today, a member of the Golden State Warriors, Jimmy Butler, is involved in a serious plan to take over part of the ownership structure of the English club Crystal Palace. It is a minority package of 43%, which is currently held by the company "Eagle Football Holdings", under the leadership of American billionaire John Textor.

The consortium, which would include a six-time NBA All-Star, plans to invest around 400 million euros, according to the prestigious The Athletic from New York. If a deal is agreed, it could mean big changes for the Selhurst Park club; both on and off the pitch.

There are many athletes and private individuals who have been making similar moves lately, wanting to invest huge amounts of money and at the same time profit from such investments. The question is in which direction this will all go.

What is the main problem?

However, the situation is far from simple. Namely, besides Palace, Textor's company already has control over several clubs; among others, there are French Lyon, Belgian RWD Molenbeek and Brazilian Botafogo. It is the French club that is causing headaches at the moment.

Lyon finished the season in Ligue 1 in sixth place, which earned them a visa to the Europa League. Palace, on the other hand, reached the European ticket with an unexpected victory in the FA Cup, although they only finished the Premier League in twelfth place.

The problem arises because of UEFA rules; the same organization cannot control two clubs in the same European competition. If there are no changes, Palace could lose the opportunity to play in Europe, and Lyon would take their place.

Fans of the English club, who have been dreaming of European nights for years, are now impatiently waiting for the outcome. And it is precisely the entry of a famous NBA player into the ownership structure that could be the key to solving this knot.

If the investment goes through, Palace would get not only money, but also a face that attracts attention around the world;and perhaps a better future on the European stage.