S1E6: Dissecting Saudi Arabia's splurge in world football

Hard Tackle

Should fans welcome it or be concerned? And why?

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

A new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom kicked off in August 2023, as the league took its first bold steps towards becoming a force to be reckoned with in world football.

Football is currently in the limelight with the Saudi Pro League having invested over €600 million (S$886.7 million) to lure a host of top players and coaches from European clubs.

What is the end goal?

Sport business group leader for Deloitte Asia-Pacific - James Walton - and ST Sports columnist John Brewin, join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss the pursuit of sports dominance by Saudi Arabia and if the rest of the sporting world should be concerned.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:20 The differences between what China did with its Chinese Super League and the Saudi attempt

9:00 Why are Saudi Arabia so invested in sport? What is their goal?

15:10 Should fans be concerned by Saudi Arabia’s investment in football and sport?

22:20 John Brewin on why the influx of money into the English Premier League was more accepted compared to the latest trend in the Middle East

28:40 The future of Saudi Arabia’s plans in sports

Read more: https://str.sg/iSkj

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan ([e-mail]), Ernest Luis, Paxton Pang & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

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فصل ها

1. Dissecting Saudi Arabia's splurge in world football (00:00:00)

2. Chinese Super League and Saudi’s attempt (00:03:20)

3. Why are Saudi Arabia so invested in sport? (00:09:00)

4. Should fans be concerned? (00:15:10)

5. Why influx of money into EPL was more accepted (00:22:20)

6. The future of Saudi Arabia’s plans in sports (00:28:40)