GETAFE, Spain (AP) " The race for the Spanish league title went down to the wire for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Barcelona and Real Madrid have won 27 of the last 32 league titles, including 11 of the last 12. "It's true that if we had a little more competitiveness, it would be easier to sell our brand, but it's not an essential element for the league's success," Spanish league president Javier Tebas said. The Spanish league has been working to help the smaller teams improve financially and become more competitive, including increasing their revenues from television contracts. Year in and year out, most Spanish teams begin the season fighting to either avoid relegation or, at the most, earn a spot in European competition.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 20, 2016 03:58 UTC