Saudi Pro League Begins Amid Surge in Global Transfers and Sportswashing Concerns
The Saudi Pro League kicks off today, attracting significant attention on the heels of a year filled with high-profile transfers and mounting accusations of sportswashing. Saudi clubs have successfully enticed global stars, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson, and Sadio Mane following in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps.
Notably, Al-Hilal made a staggering €300 million bid for Kylian Mbappe in July, although the Paris Saint-Germain striker reportedly declined to meet with club officials. As the league gets underway, all eyes turn towards the eighteen participating clubs, each of which is allowed eight foreign players.
This surge in international interest and investment in Saudi football reflects the country’s ambition to emulate the reach and popularity of the English Premier League. Professor Simon Chadwick from Skema Business School in Paris explains, Saudi Arabia aspires to be like the English Premier League, noting the growing media attention surrounding the Saudi Pro League. The question on many people’s minds is, Where can I watch the Saudi Pro League?
In a significant move to increase exposure, DAZN has secured the rights to stream Saudi Pro League matches for the next two years in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Canada. Additionally, in Singapore, SPOTV announced that it had acquired broadcast rights for the next two seasons, making it available on both Singtel and StarHub.
This surge of global interest in Saudi football aligns with the country’s recent efforts to open up its conservative society to the world. In just five years, Saudi Arabia has allowed non-Muslim tourists and granted women the right to drive. These changes reflect the larger plan of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernize the Saudi economy and decrease its reliance on oil before alternative energy sources take center stage.
Some critics argue that Saudi Arabia’s numerous sports investments, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s acquisition, hosting Formula One in Jeddah, and the lucrative LIV Golf tour, are an attempt to sportswash the country’s controversial human rights record. The government’s aim, according to Moqbel Al-Zabni, editor-in-chief of Al Riyadiah newspaper, is to put the Middle East and the Arab world on the professional football map.
As the Saudi Pro League commences its new season, the world watches with fascination to see how the league’s reputation and global reach continue to develop. The influx of star players, international broadcasting deals, and the country’s continuous efforts to modernize and shed its conservative image form a compelling narrative that intertwines sport, politics, and economics. It remains to be seen how the Saudi Pro League will navigate these complex dynamics in the years to come.
