By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid’s basketball section is navigating a period of unprecedented financial strain. According to Intelligence 2P, the market intelligence unit of 2Playbook, the club recorded a €17.5 million loss in the first half of the 2025-2026 season. This figure represents a three-fold increase compared to the same period last year, placing the storied club on track to hit a record-breaking annual deficit of €38.4 million.
The primary driver behind this fiscal downturn is a massive 49% year-on-year surge in sports staff spending. To remain competitive at the highest level, the club allocated €25.3 million to salaries in just six months, a historic high for the organization.
On the revenue side, growth remains sluggish. Total turnover rose by a modest 3.9% to €12.9 million, which covers barely half of the current payroll. The most notable improvement came from competition income, which soared to €1.2 million from just €266,000 in the previous year.
However, these gains were offset by stagnation in other areas. The commercial and marketing department, the club’s largest revenue generator, saw a 1% dip to €6.2 million. Similarly, membership and ticket sales fell 1.6% to €3 million, while television revenue dropped 11.6% to €2.4 million, following the ACB’s transition to DAZN.
This financial instability comes at a strategic crossroads for the team based in the Spanish capital. Madrid has until June 30th to renew its EuroLeague license and remains one of the few holdouts yet to sign, amid heavy speculation regarding a potential jump to a new continental league backed by the NBA and FIBA.