Saudi Pro League Bids to Become a World Leader

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has recently taken a few serious steps to bring its ambitious plans to become a global football powerhouse to fruition.

Read on as we delve into how the SPL is elevating its game through investments and partnerships to build a sustainable future for Saudi football. 

Improving the Viewing Experience

The SPL recently agreed a groundbreaking five-year production partnership deal with International Management Group (IMG) that will transform the league’s viewership. 

Headquartered in New York City, IMG has been one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment media companies since it was founded in 1960.

IMG already produces content for the Premier League, Major League Soccer for Apple TV and CBS’ Champions League and Europa League coverage.

Starting from the 2024/25 season, IMG will handle production for the SPL. The agreement will raise the broadcast quality of the competition by combining local expertise with IMG’s world-class capability to improve the viewing experience for fans domestically and internationally.

The move will improve the viewing experience using storytelling and cutting-edge remote production technologies, positioning Saudi football for global visibility.

“Saudi Pro League is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing leagues in global football, with fans around the world now tuning in to watch thrilling action between some of the game’s biggest stars,” IMG’s Barney Francis said.

“In today’s battle for attention, it is critical for rightsholders to take control of their narrative and innovate. We are excited to help SPL take its content offering and storytelling to the next level for viewers and broadcasters and to provide opportunities for local broadcast and production talent to be part of the journey.”

This partnership has broader implications for sports betting. With Saudi football becoming more prominent, interest in betting on SPL matches is on the rise.

The improved production quality and international visibility brought by IMG’s partnership will make SPL games even more appealing to global audiences and bettors. 

The leading sportsbooks listed at www.arabswin.com/en/ will be inundated with punters eager to wager on SPL games. The increased exposure will further boost the SPL’s global footprint.

The SPL Brand Power & Global Positioning

The SPL has been relentless in its drive for global recognition, with billions of dollars invested in high-profile players from European football and improving club infrastructure to match the quality of the footballers coming in.

Superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema arrived on the Gulf shores over the past two years and have shot their clubs into the spotlight.

Their arrival has contributed to boosting the league’s brand strength. According to Brand Finance, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are the top three football brands in Saudi Arabia. 

Al-Hilal are top of the standings with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 74.6. However, they have a long way to go match the top clubs in Europe.

Reigning Champions League and La Liga winners Real Madrid are the benchmark. They hold a BSI score of 96.3 while valued at €1.7 billion.

Al-Hilal have leveraged Neymar’s fame to boost its global presence, while Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr had a massive impact on their social media numbers.

This trend will continue over the next few years as the Saudi League strives to catch up with its European counterparts.

Shifting the Focus from Established Stars to Youth Talent

The SPL plans to switch its focus from signing established stars to younger players that will grow and develop in the Gulf state.

This change in strategy is part of a broader plan to encourage long-term growth and sustainability. 

The hierarchy believes the SPL can be a better and more competitive league by acquiring younger international players and nurturing home-grown players, creating a sustainable player pipeline.

The SPL started its bid to catch up with Europe by plucking high-profile players to make an immediate impact. However, after investing over $1 billion in transfers since 2023 on players entering the twilight of their careers, they must balance star power with youth development. 

The league has set new rules designed to reduce the average age of players from 29 to 27.5 years, and they can achieve this by signing younger players and promoting from within the academies.

This youth focus will provide a long-term foundation for the SPL’s growth while ensuring that young players have ample opportunities to showcase their talent.

This decision aligns with one of the crucial tenets of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project, which is to make football in the country a globally competitive sport while developing home-grown talents.