Real Madrid revenue rises 7 percent

MADRID — Real Madrid said it posted record revenue of more than a half a billion in the 2011-12 season, an increase of 7 percent.

The world's richest club says it earned $673 million — up from a record $628 million — for a profit of $44 million in the season it won the Spanish League.

Madrid says its debt load dropped from $221 million to $162 million, coming in line with UEFA's financial fair play requirements.

Financial fair play requires European teams to only spend what they earn. The break-even rule goes into effect in the 2014-15 season

Madrid, which leads Spanish rival Barcelona and Manchester United in the rich list, says the revenue figures are "the biggest sum of any sporting institution in the world."

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Support near 65 percent for Tokyo bid

The support ratio for Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics turned out to be around 65 percent both within the city and across the nation — below a target of 70 percent, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.

Asked to compare the latest survey results with 60 percent in Tokyo and 62 percent in Japan reported for the failed 2016 bid, a senior Tokyo official said, "I think that's not bad at this point."

Tokyo will add the support ratio to the so-called bid file to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee by Feb. 15.

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