• Loading stock data...
Saturday, April 19, 2025

Saudi Prince Dismisses Sportswashing Claims Post Newcastle, LIV Golf

  • Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke about sportswashing with Fox News.
  • The controversial leader was bullish on the value of sports investments.
LIV Golf flag pin
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Sportswashing has been one of the more ubiquitous terms in the industry over the past few years as foreign nations invest billions of dollars in professional teams and leagues in the U.S. and Europe.

One of the most criticized countries is Saudi Arabia, whose $700 billion Public Investment Fund has backed the launch of LIV Golf, the purchase of Premier League club Newcastle United, investments in Formula 1, and the Saudi Pro League — the latter of which has brought unprecedented disruption to European soccer.

Saudi Arabia has even launched a sports-specific investment company that recently purchased a stake in the MMA upstart Professional Fighters League.

As the focus of sports continues, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says he isn’t bothered by sportswashing claims.

“If sportswashing [is] going to increase my GDP by 1%, then I will continue doing sportswashing,” he told Fox News on Bret Baier’s “Special Report” show. “I don’t care. I have 1% growth of GDP from sport, and I’m aiming for another 1.5% — call it whatever you want, we’re going to get that 1.5%.”

Various databases calculated Saudi Arabia’s GDP at more than $1 trillion by the end of 2022. While it isn’t clear exactly what metrics bin Salman was referring to, his claim would mean sports investments have boosted Saudi Arabia’s GDP by $10 billion.

Either way, the leader’s comments correlate with the country’s present and future actions. Saudi Arabia has discussed investing in professional tennis, and wants to bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Masters

Why The Masters Quietly Cracked Down on Ticket Resellers

Insiders expect big changes are coming to ticketing at Augusta National.

Golf’s Other Majors Won’t Follow Masters Lead in Banning Phones

Phone intrusions at past majors have led to strong reactions from golfers.
Netflix

Netflix Rises While Markets Slide—Thanks in Part to Live Sports

The streaming giant beats financial expectations as its sports presence grows.

Featured Today

Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches as center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates after making a three point basket to clinch a win against the Toronto Raptors near the end of the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena

Same Owner, New Knicks: New York’s Remarkable Rebound

The franchise’s renaissance didn’t happen overnight.
exclusive
April 16, 2025

Inside Nico Iamaleava’s Ugly Breakup With Tennessee

Iamaleava’s representatives claim to FOS he didn’t push for more NIL money.
Jul 29, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; France center Dominique Malonga (14) and guard Marine Johannes (23) celebrate after defeating Canada during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy
April 13, 2025

‘Has to Change’: The WNBA’s International Player Problem

As more global stars arrive, the “prioritization” rule is causing tension.
Yamine Lamal Barcelona
April 12, 2025

Lamine Yamal: The Pressure and Price of Barcelona’s Young Prodigy

Lamine Yamal is a teenage superstar. Can Barcelona afford him?
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

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
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.’