Sports
Colts’ DeForest Buckner cleared to practice: ‘It feels like graduation day’
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been cleared to resume football activities, he announced Tuesday on the eve of his team’s first training camp practice. The two-time All-Pro underwent neck surgery in December and did not practice in the spring, so his return to the field marks a significant step forward in his recovery.
“It felt like a graduation day for me personally,” said Buckner, who was officially cleared Monday. “Getting to this point from where I started on New Year’s Eve (when I had the procedure), not being able to do a whole lot after surgery. Pretty much being in the bed, not being able to move around. I couldn’t even pick my kids up. … It was frustrating, but I just kept my faith.”
#Colts DT DeForest Buckner on finally being cleared to resume football activities after undergoing neck surgery in December:
“It felt like a graduation day for me, personally. … I couldn’t even pick my kids up. I couldn’t pick up anything heavier than 10 pounds. …” pic.twitter.com/Ho6NmaUvNY
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 28, 2026
Buckner, who is entering his 11th NFL season, appeared in a career-low 10 games last year due to a neck injury he initially sustained against the Pittsburgh Steelers last November. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the Colts’ next five games. Buckner opted to forgo surgery and instead flew to Panama for stem cell treatment on his neck before he returned against the San Francisco 49ers in December. In that contest, however, Buckner aggravated his neck injury and eventually opted to undergo season-ending surgery.
Buckner said in April that he had “some deep, dark thoughts” about whether he’d retire after having neck surgery. He leaned on his family and close friends for guidance before returning to the gridiron.
Buckner added that he’s advanced to “striking some things” like pop-up dummies in the lead up to training camp, but he’ll still have a “ramp up period” as he gets acclimated to practice.
“I haven’t had contact in the spring and everything like that,” Buckner said. “And, obviously dealing with my situation, I want to be cautious and be smart in what we do. But, yeah, I’m excited.”
Buckner, 32, has authored a decorated career. After being drafted No. 7 overall in 2016 by the San Francisco 49ers, he was named a Pro Bowler in 2018 and second-team All-Pro in 2019. The Colts traded the 2020 No. 13 pick to the 49ers in exchange for Buckner, who’d just starred in a Super Bowl loss against the Chiefs with 1.5 sacks and three QB hits. He maintained his high level of play in Indianapolis, earning a first team-All Pro nod in 2020 and two more Pro Bowl selections in 2021 and 2023.
Buckner missed just one game due to injury in his first eight NFL seasons, but his durability has taken a hit in recent years. In addition to the neck injury that sidelined him for seven games last year, he missed five games due to a high ankle sprain in 2024.
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Sports
How to watch Diamondbacks vs. Pirates: TV channel and streaming options for July 28
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to Nick Gonzales, on an 11-game hitting streak, against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 6:40 p.m. ET on Tuesday, at PNC Park. Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.47 ERA) will start for the Pirates, who are 55-52 this season and third in the NL Central. Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.43 ERA) is starting for the Diamondbacks, who are 55-52 and second in the NL West.
How to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Diamondbacks vs. Pirates odds
- Favorite Moneyline: Pirates -115
- Underdog Moneyline: Diamondbacks -105
- Total: 9
- Total Over Odds: -120
- Total Under Odds: +100
Injury reports
Pirates
Spencer Horwitz: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Evan Sisk: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Chris Devenski: 60 Day IL (Illness), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Hand), Konnor Griffin: 60 Day IL (Finger), Rafael Flores: 7 Day IL (Head), Esmerlyn Valdez: day-to-day (Hand)
Diamondbacks
Jordan Lawlar: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: 10 Day IL (Adductor), Tommy Troy: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Zac Gallen: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Drey Jameson: 15 Day IL (Hip), Mike Soroka: 15 Day IL (Lower body), A.J. Puk: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Cristian Mena: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Blake Walston: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ryne Nelson: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Corbin Burnes: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Andrew Saalfrank: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Justin Martinez: 60 Day IL (Elbow)
Stats to know
- Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds has hit 14 home runs this season. He has also tallied 60 RBIs and has scored 72 runs. In 464 plate appearances, he has recorded a .269 BA, .381 OBP and .454 SLG with a 13.8% walk rate and a 23.9% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording seven steals on seven attempts.
- In 436 plate appearances, Brandon Lowe has slashed .251/.319/.478 this season. He has hit 21 long balls and driven in 67 runs (13th in MLB) with a strikeout rate of 27.1% and a walk rate of 9.2%. He has come around to score 64 times.
- Ketel Marte is hitting for a .254 BA, .308 OBP and .455 SLG with a 14.9% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk rate. His OPS is .763 and he has scored 58 runs. In 451 plate appearances, he has hit 19 home runs and driven in 61 runs.
- In 444 plate appearances, Corbin Carroll has posted a 23% strikeout rate and an 11.5% walk rate while slashing .249/.342/.483 with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs and 63 runs scored. He has stolen 13 bases on 15 attempts.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images
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Sports
Women’s Open: Round one and two tee times
06:30 A Hewson (Eng), A Doherty (US), C Williams (Wal)
06:41 A Garvey (NZ), L Harm (Ger), S Soenderby (Den)
06:52 H Wei-ling (Tpe), A Ashok (Ind), D Harry (Wal)
07:03 A Nordqvist (Swe), C Porter (Aus), S Takahashi (Jap)
07:14 M Katsu (Jpn), Y Noh (US), S Kyriacou (Aus)
07:25 C Ciganda (Spa), K Davidson (Aus), M Jose Marin* (Col)
07:36 Y Ina (Kor), Al Lee (US), Y Yunseo* (Kor)
07:47 S Jiyai (Kor), A Kim (US), C In-gee (Kor)
07:58 L Grant (Swe), K Jin-young (Kor), K Romero* (US)
08:09 K Sei-young (Kor), R Takeda (Jpn), Y Araki (Jpn)
08:20 K Hyojoo (Kor), M Lee (Aus), M Saigo (Jap)
08:31 L Woad (Eng), A Iwai (Jp), An Lee (US)
08:42 L Ko (NZ), N Korda (US), R Haeran (Kor)
08:58 C Hye-jin (Kor), G Kim (Aus), M Rhodes (Eng)
09:09 L Somi (Kor), E Henseleit (Ger), A Furue (Jpn)
09:20 L Duncan (US), Y Amy (Kor), J Lopez Ramirez (Spa)
09:31 S Popov (Ger), S Jenny (Kor), P Delacour (Fra)
09:42 L Yan (Chi), S Tan (Sin), Y Saso (Jpn)
09:53 T Yani (Tpe), N Nadaud (Fra), A Forsterling (Ger)
10:04 A Yubol (Phi), C Gainer (Eng), K Minji (Kor)
10:15 K In-kyung (Kor), M De Roey (Bel), C Lopez-Chacarra (Spa)
10:26 J Ewart Shadoff (Eng), A Zanusso (Ita), J Bosio (Aus)
10:37 S Kouskova (Cze), J Soo-bin (Kor), A Fuller (Eng)
10:48 P Babnik (Slo), A Foster (Ire), B Wardle (Eng)
11:14 J Yan (US), A Laisne (Fra), L Walsh (Ire)
11:25 K Bennett (Aus), Z Weiwei (Chi), K Arwefjall (Swe)
11:36 E Hara (Jpn), C Tamburlini (Swi), M Green (US)
11:47 N K Madsen (Den), K Nagai (Jap), E Hamilton (Eng)
11:58 S Kuwaki (Jpn), H Briem (Ger), L Li (US)
12:09 A Huang (Can), J Bae (US), P Martin Sampedro* (Spa)
12:20 L Vu (US), S Sakuma (Jpn), R Zhang (US)
12:31 A Jutanugarn (Tha), K A-lim (Kor), C Alexander (SA)
12:42 H Shibuno (Jpn), G Hall (Eng), V Delon* (Fra)
12:53 G Lopez (Mex), C Iwai (Jpn), C Boutier (Fra)
13:04 Y Ruoning (Chi), N Hataoka (Jpn), J Kupcho (US)
13:15 M Yamashita (Jpn), J Thitikul (Tha), L Coughlin (US)
13:26 C Hull (Eng), H Green (Aus), B Henderson (Can)
13:42 M Stark (Swe), I Jin-hee (Kor), A Corpuz (US)
13:53 K Min-sol (Kor), P Tavatanakit (Tha), M Khang (US)
14:04 P Anannarukarn (Tha), H Youmin (Kor), L Maguire (Ire)
14:15 A Buhai (SA), F Suga (Jpn), D Weber (Ned)
14:26 K Minsun (Kor), L Mi-hyang (Kor), N B Estrup (Den)
14:37 C Wannasaen (Tha), P Roussin-Bouchard (Fra), L Yu (Chi)
14:48 R O’Toole (US), R Choi (Aus), C Naughton* (Eng)
14:59 N Guseva (Rus), N Komulainen (Fin), L Crump* (Eng)
15:10 C Tejedo Mulet (Spa), D Dagar (Ind), Y Wilson (US)
15:21 D Darquea (Ecu), P Mack (Ger), G Kim (US)
15:32 A Utama (Tha), A Pelaez Trivino (Spa), V Bouvet (Fra)
All times in BST. *denotes amateur
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Sports
Real Madrid announce world-record €1.2bn revenues: Where do they get the money?
Real Madrid have announced world-record revenues for a football club for the third year running, as turnover increased for the fifth consecutive season in 2025-26.
In a release issued by the club on Tuesday, Madrid announced €1.221billion in top-line revenues, the first time any club has claimed to surpass €1.2bn, and a three per cent uplift on the Spanish club’s own figure from a season earlier.
That, however, includes at least €23.5million in ‘income’ derived from the reversal of a provision related to an EU Commission lawsuit settled last September. Madrid have historically included such provision surpluses as income even where many other clubs do not; removing the amount would dip 2025-26 revenues below that headline €1.2bn mark.
Even so, Madrid’s revenue-earning power remains mightily impressive, well beyond anyone else’s and continuing to grow even in a season where the club won nothing on the field for the first time in five years. In England, where much of football’s money increasingly resides, Arsenal are expected to top revenue charts for 2025-26 with around £800m, or €935m — a long way behind their Spanish counterparts.
Madrid also announced record EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) of €287m, up €44m (18 per cent) on 2024-25. EBITDA is a sort-of proxy for cash operating profit, though is open to manipulation. In Madrid’s example, their EBITDA figure includes player sale profits, which generally isn’t included at other clubs (nor when The Athletic presents its own analysis of club EBITDA numbers).
Their latest figures show the continuing benefit of the expensive refurbishment of the club’s Bernabeu home. What Madrid define as ‘stadium revenue’ hit €363m last season, more than double what it was before the remodelling works and up €36m (11 per cent) in a year. Around €10m of that was however derived from the sale of personal seat licenses (PSLs), whereby buyers secure the right to buy season tickets for the next 30 years, alongside certain “exclusive services” within the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid’s stadium has been a positive source of income for the club (Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Madrid’s stadium is generating them plenty of money, even as a dispute over noise levels shut down the club’s ability to host live concerts across last season. That €363m represented growth but was actually €39m below where Madrid budgeted 2025-26 stadium revenues to be, and meant the overall presented figure of €1.221bn fell €27m short of budget (better than envisaged TV money lessened the below). The Bernabeu refurbishment has not been without its troubles, some of which continue to crop up.
In late June, the Spanish Supreme Court nixed plans to build two new car parks next to the Bernabeu, for which the city’s town hall were going to pay Madrid €561m to construct and then manage the facilities over 40 years. Madrid were required to put up nearly €100m in construction costs alongside managing the car parks over the next four decades, but initial estimates indicated sizeable profit for the club which now won’t materialise.
One high-ranking club source, however, speaking to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity, refuted the apparent magnitude of that Supreme Court ruling. The expected net income from the car parks did not, in their view, “move the needle” and they offered the view that Madrid’s eventual take would be lower than has previously been reported. As well, the club’s construction costs to date total only around €20m, a sum they now intend to seek recompense for. Yet even as club officials downplay the impact, Madrid embarked upon that element of the project for a reason, and its scrapping leaves a hole in past plans.
Madrid say the overall renovation project is now “practically complete”, and infrastructure expenditure should start falling as a result. A further €60.7m went into the Bernabeu works in 2025-26, taking overall investment in the project beyond €1.4bn.
That, in turn, has generated a substantial debt stack, albeit the timing of repayments has been designed to utilise those bumper revenues the club is now enjoying from a world-class home.
Those repayments meant that while a further €61m was spent on the project, the debt related to it fell slightly, from €1.132bn to €1.108bn. Madrid took out three tranches of debt to fund the works, though the €26m in annual repayments due on the final tranche do not begin until November 2027. From thereon the club will repay €66m annually on the Bernabeu project, a big sum, but one which they intend growing stadium revenues will more than cover.
The club’s non-stadium debt had fallen by the end of June 2026 too, down to €92m from around double that a year earlier, albeit that has been mirrored by a year-on-year fall in Madrid’s cash balance.
Madrid’s huge costs
Despite huge revenues, costs eat substantially into club cash. The Athletic reported earlier this year that, at the end of 2025, Madrid’s cash balance was just €3.5m. Moreover, our deep dive into the club’s books last year highlighted a situation whereby the June-end cash balance is routinely below the wage bill payable in July (Madrid players are paid twice annually, once in July and once in December).
That payable figure is not disclosed in this latest release but, with just €83m cash on hand at the end of June, the pattern has undeniably continued. Madrid have plenty of resource to meet liabilities: our deep dive detailed how sponsorship payments from big deals with Adidas and Emirates are timed to align with payroll expenditure, and they also had €475m in undrawn credit lines to call upon as at the end of June.
The same high-ranking source mentioned earlier advised The Athletic the credit lines were, naturally, tapped into in July to meet liabilities, and debt is not in and of itself a problem, but it does highlight the huge cost of running an operation like Madrid.
Madrid were, for the 24th consecutive season, profitable again in 2025-26, booking a €26.3m post-tax surplus (up €1.9m and eight per cent on 2024-25). In a sport where hardly anyone makes a profit, that’s notable, even if it does include quirks like those provision surpluses and the one-off sales of PSLs.
The level of profit does look rather small in the context of around €1.2bn in revenues, though Madrid are member-owned and, by nature, not looking to rack up big surpluses.
The club is keen to stress that all of its monies are reinvested in the club itself and, while there have been recent complaints from president Florentino Perez about having to compete with heavily backed foreign clubs in the transfer market, Madrid are hardly skimping either.
Across Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono, €161m went on new signings in 2025-26 and, while no breakdown of wages is yet available, ‘sports staff expenses’ (sporting wages plus the amortisation of transfer fees) jumped sharply, from €540m to €618m. As a proportion of revenue that is still healthier than most clubs, but costs are climbing.
Even so, expect more to be added this summer.
Huijsen and Mastantuono were expensive signings for the club last summer (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Summer signings and player wages
As reported by The Athletic on Sunday, Madrid are now in pole position to sign RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, in a deal which will cost them upwards of €100m. Work is ongoing to extract World Cup winner Rodri from Manchester City, too.
When questioned on the likelihood of those deals materialising, a club source refused to be drawn, but did highlight that, currently, Madrid’s incomings — from the sale of Nico Paz alongside sell-on fees relating to Victor Munoz and Alvaro Rodriguez — exceed what they have so far spent on Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries. Those credit lines have significant headroom if Madrid want to tap them further. Put another way: there is money to be spent.
Madrid under Perez have long been keen to downplay any hint of financial concern, employing various mechanisms to ensure the club is shown in the best possible light. Utilisation of provisions and one-off revenue items boost the top-line and keep the club in the black; canny cash flow management keeps reporting date debt down. Stadium debt is routinely presented with less vigour than the much lower non-stadium debt.
None of which points to imminent trouble, but running the club is not the breeze it is sometimes presented as. Going really big on players would increase a day-to-day net debt balance the club are keen to present as near nil. There is balance required in Madrid.
Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid from Chelsea
David Ornstein and more
Of course, helping make everything smoother are those world-record revenues. Even in a year where they won nothing and club store revenues took a 20 per cent hit as a result, Madrid remained a marketing behemoth: by their categorisation, marketing revenues of €539m are up 82 per cent on the pre-Bernabeu remodelling days. The tranche of marketing revenues driven by sponsorships and licensing was up 17 per cent in 2025-26 alone.
More growth is expected. Bernabeu Infinito, an immersive, virtual reality experience for fans, launched recently. The club are keen to tap new technologies to their fullest extent to drive that top-line. And a fully-operating Bernabeu will keep the euros rolling in. Per Tuesday’s release, 93 per cent of Madrid’s €464m increase in turnover since 2018-19 stems from “revenue directly managed by the club” or, in other words, non-broadcast revenues. The stadium project has propelled income into new territory for a football club.
Madrid’s full 2025-26 financials won’t be released until September, whereupon greater insight will be drawn. A full reckoning of the current financial position is impossible without that forthcoming detail but, for now, Real Madrid’s earning power pits the club exactly where it always wishes to be: at the top and in the headlines.
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