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Saudi Arabia Pivots, Now Wants to Buy In on BeIn

  • Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is interested in purchasing a stake in BeIn Media Group.
  • The country banned BeIn from 2017 to 2022.
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beIN Sports

When it comes to BeIn Media Group, Saudi Arabia may go from banning to buying.

The nation’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is considering purchasing a stake in the broadcaster, which is based in and owned by 2022 World Cup host Qatar

U.S. private equity firms are also reportedly interested in the media company.

  • Saudi Arabia banned BeIn in 2017 due to troubled relations with Qatar. The dispute delayed the PIF’s majority stake purchase of Premier League club Newcastle United
  • The ban was lifted in 2021 after the two nations smoothed things over.
  • BeIn Sports’ suite of sports rights includes the Premier League, Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and the Asian Football Confederation in the Middle East and North Africa.

BeIn chairperson Nasser Al-Khelaifi is the president of Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. The company also owns 51% of Hollywood studio Miramax.

Piece of the Puzzle

A media relationship with its neighbor would provide a valuable partner for Saudi Arabia as it pushes deeper into sports. 

The PIF backs LIV Golf and Saudi Arabia will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in a to-be-built resort city called Trojena in the country’s mountainous region — part of the country’s $500 billion futuristic NEOM project.

The country also aspires to host the 2030 World Cup and the Olympics.

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