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

Saudi Soccer Spending Not Slowing Down, U.K. Broadcast Deal Expected

  • “I don’t see this slowing down” Saudi Pro League exec Peter Hutton says amid recent bids for Messi, Mbappe.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia got SPL broadcasts into 170 territories, Hutton expects U.K. deal next season.
“I don’t see this slowing down” Saudi league exec Peter Hutton says amid recent bids for Messi, Mbappe.
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Saudi Arabia has already lured European stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Jordan Henderson, and Karim Benzema, and has no plans to slow down its spending spree to turn the Saudi Pro League into a premier soccer destination.

“I think the budgets are in place for a number of years, I don’t see this slowing down,” Saudi Pro League board member Peter Hutton told the BBC. “I’ve worked in sport for 40 years and I’ve never seen a project as big, as ambitious and as determined to be a success.”

Hutton was previously the Head of Sports at Meta (formerly Facebook) and CEO of Eurosport, and held other executive roles at ESPN and IMG. Since the sports media veteran joined the Saudi Pro League in January, the league has made unsuccessful record-breaking offers for global stars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe — posing a threat to even the highest-spending European leagues. 

“The investment from Saudi is remarkable. It’s certainly been a big acceleration,” Hutton said. “This doesn’t necessarily mean that Europe isn’t going to be as strong in world football going forward. But I would say that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s good that football has strength around the world.”

Ronaldo’s reported $220 million per year deal with Al Nassr was the first domino to fall for the Saudi Pro League, which is bankrolled by the government’s Public Investment Fund. Fellow former Real Madrid star Benzema then signed a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad in June while former Liverpool and English National Team star Henderson joined Al Ettifaq last month as Saudi’s latest import.  

“When Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr we suddenly had this interest from international broadcasters. Last year, we ended up in over 170 territories once Ronaldo signed,” Hutton said. “It’s clearly something that’s caught the imagination of broadcasters worldwide and that’s been a really positive sign. I’d be confident we’ll get a broadcast deal in the UK for this coming season,” he added. “It’s just important to see year-by-year increases and certainly the gates are up, TV revenues are up, sponsorship is up. I don’t see why that should slow down”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Soccer balls

New US Women’s Soccer League Says It Has Millions in Funding Lined..

It aims to bridge a “critical player development gap” in women’s soccer.
May 20, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; General view of logo for Ligue 1 Games at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Top French Soccer League in Dire Straits Due to Dead Broadcast Deal

As part of the deal with Ligue 1, DAZN was supposed to pay about $455 million a year.

Super Bowl Champ Logan Ryan Almost Bought Into a French Soccer Team

Ryan’s story is perfectly representative of the trend in athlete ownership stakes.
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

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.
Masters
April 18, 2025

Why The Masters Quietly Cracked Down on Ticket Resellers

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

UFL and Players Union Agree to New CBA, Pending Board Approval

Players say the new deal gives them wins on wages and healthcare.
April 18, 2025

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

Phone intrusions at past majors have led to strong reactions from golfers.
April 18, 2025

NHL Breaks Attendance Record for Third Straight Season

More than 23 million hockey fans attended games this season.
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.
April 17, 2025

UFL Dealing With Challenges Three Weeks Into Second Season

The spring football league is in its second season.
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
April 17, 2025

Thunder, Cavs Are NBA Title Contenders on a Budget—for Now

The NBA playoffs tip off this weekend.
Kim Ng
April 17, 2025

Kim Ng Is Trying to Crack Pro Softball’s Toughest Problem

Ng’s new task is translating the popularity of college softball to pros.
April 17, 2025

WNBPA Matches NBA’s 3-Point Contest Prize. Will Caitlin Clark Join?

The 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend will be in Indianapolis.