Real Madrid's basketball team, which competes in the Spanish Basketball League (ACB), is "on its way to becoming a social phenomenon," according to Nacho Duque of MARCA. Through nine games this season, the club's average attendance at Real's Sports Palace arena is 9,071. The only Spanish club with better attendance is Laboral Kutxa. Attendance at two games last weekend drew crowds of 11,429 on Friday and 12,317 on Sunday. The total of those two games, 23,746, "serves as an embarrassment for Barcelona, which has attracted just 5,000 more through six of its own home games this season." It is "all translating to revenue." Real brought in around €150,000 ($203,600) from ticket sales from the last two games. As the "season advances and bigger games come along," Real could bring in as much as €250,000 ($339,300) in a single night. Since last season, the number of Real season-ticket holders has increased by 1,200 to around 6,400. Real Madrid coach Pablo Laso said after winning the league championship, "The biggest title is seeing the Palace full" (MARCA, 11/27).
