• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s PIF Takes Over Four Domestic Pro League Clubs

  • Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi team will now be owned by the PIF, as well as clubs linked to Benzema and Messi.
  • Attendance for the Saudi Pro League was up 150% over the past year amid its first season with Ronaldo.
The PIF now owns 75% of Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has taken ownership control of four soccer clubs in the Saudi Pro League—Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli—as part of the Kingdom’s newly announced Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project. 

The government’s takeover of the four clubs comes as Al-Ittihad reportedly has agreed to sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to a three-year deal worth $643 million. Al-Hilal has been pushing to sign superstar Lionel Messi upon his impending departure from Paris Saint-Germain. Al Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo to a record-setting contract in January. 

Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal finished first, second, and third, respectively, in the Saudi Pro League this past season. Al-Ahli is historically a successful top-tier club but was relegated last year.

The clubs are being restructured as private companies that will each be 75% owned by the PIF. Each club’s nonprofit foundation will hold the remaining 25% ownership stake. 

“The transfer of the four clubs will unleash various commercial opportunities, including investment, partnership, and sponsorships across numerous sports,” said the Public Investment Fund, which also owns English Premier League club Newcastle United and LIV Golf.

Saudi Arabia’s national press agency said attendance for the Saudi Pro League increased nearly 150% over the past year, its first with Ronaldo. The country’s new sports privatization project aims to increase the market value of the Saudi Pro League from its current $800 million to 2.1 billion by 2030. Commercial revenue from the league reached $119 million in 2022, but the government’s project aims to increase that figure to $480 million annually. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gianni Infantino

Rights Groups Sound Alarm on Saudi Worker Deaths Ahead of World Cup

Saudi Arabia promised construction of 11 stadiums for the 2034 World Cup.

Ladies European Tour Gets Prize Money Boost From Saudi Arabia

A new PIF Global Series will pay out $13 million.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.

Featured Today

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’