Saudi sports offensive will push forward

Significance

After staging major boxing and motor-racing events at home, Riyadh is bidding to acquire Newcastle United, a team in the English Premier League, as well as looking at German broadcast rights. However, broadcast piracy charges present an obstacle.

Impacts

• Most Saudis are likely to take national pride in the crown prince’s ambitious approach to investment in sporting and other global assets.
• The mobilisation of sovereign funds for risky acquisitions could disquiet some citizens facing higher taxes and benefits cuts.
• Mohammed bin Salman will use Saudi oil dominance to push ahead with sporting plans despite international doubts.
• Riyadh will step up efforts to gain influence within or over even minor global sporting bodies.
• Saudi Arabia will invest heavily in efforts to host the 2027 Asia football cup and the 2030 Asian games.