By: Percy Flores, Jason Harris, Zion Belton
and Josh Dadzie
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STS 315, New Jersey Institute of Technology
10/23/23
Introduction
● This summer, the Saudi Pro League has emerged as a prominent destination for European soccer stars.
● The league's newfound prominence is attributed to substantial backing from Saudi Arabia's $620 billion Public Investment Fund
(PIF).
● During the transfer window, the league made a remarkable investment, with a total expenditure exceeding $1 billion and a net
spend of -$907 million.
● This transformation was facilitated by the PIF's acquisition of a 75% ownership stake in leading Saudi clubs through the "Sports
Clubs Investment and Privatization Project."
● High-profile signings such as Neymar and Malcom, who joined Al Hilal, exemplify the league's newfound appeal and financial
clout.
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Question
Is it morally right for Saudi Arabia to largely invest in the transfer of soccer
stars to the SPL?
What is the actual purpose of this sudden determination?
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Arguments in Favor
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https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/saudi-pro-
league-transfers-players-list-middle-east/
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Economic benefits
● Boost in revenue due to attendance, fans want to see star players
● The signing of these players attract a lot of media attention
● A lot of jerseys get sold by the different teams these players signed for
● Boost in tourism, goes into country’s capital
● Potential foreign investment
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Sportsbetting = Viewership
A billion US$ is bet on most premier league games in Asia alone. “Half the (PL) global fan base and 1/4
of the global viewers are in Asia”. For the Saudis, why not steal this audience? Once they’ve built the tv
loyalty, the best players in the world on tv, live, watch for free and through advertisement and ticket sales
the income will come in.
Looking down on the saudis is similar like how the old rich looking down on the new rich, they do the
same thing as the top leagues,they are just new, and foreign. To be fair, they also violates human rights,
and the connection between state leaders and clubs are much stronger than in any leagues in Europe.
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Why is Saudi taking these players anyway?
● The rise of electric cars is going to make their oil supplies far less valuable in the not too distant
future so they are moving for new investment opportunities for places to increase their money.
● They need to spend the money whilst they can, create more money for the future when oils gone
or heavily sanctioned.
● Promotion of Vision 2030: Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is an ambitious plan to transform the
country's economy and society. Investing in soccer and other sports can align with this vision by
promoting a more active and diverse entertainment sector.
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Other countries who have had
the same approach
China’s League: attracted players like Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka, oscar dos Santos to have them play in the
CSL clubs, attracting investment and spotlight in chinese soccer.
MLS : Well known players like David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been recruited and
played on MLS teams to increase revenue and attention.
India : Players like Diego Forlan and Robbie Keane were recruited to increase revenue and attention.
Qatar : Prior to the 2022 FIFA world cup, the Qatar Stars League was heavily invested in, attracting star players
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like Xavi Hernandez, increasing league notoriety.
Arguments Against
https://www.esquire.com/sports/
a44283360/saudi-arabia-soccer-league-pif-
cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-mls/
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Pace of improvement is
hindered
● By choosing money, the player is bound to compete in a league (i.e. SPL) were his soccer abilities would
not be developed.
● The lack of competitive players in the SPL (Saudi Pro League) compared to top-performing leagues like
the Premier League is a disadvantage for a young talent who is looking to develop their skills.
● Since players are valued on their abilities, a young talent heading for the SPL is likely to be devalued on
the long-term.
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Sportswashing
● Saudi Arabia is hugely investing in the transfer of soccer players to cover political issues inside
its government.
● Human Rights Watch and other agencies have called out Saudi Arabia for a record of abuse that
includes:
○ Killing hundreds of unarmed Ethiopian migrants
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○ Imprisoning women’s rights campaigners
○ Executing 81 people in a single day last year
Sportswashing (cont.)
● Upon the mentioned, Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman says he doesn't care how the world views his country’s
heavy investment in sports.
○ "If sportswashing is going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we will continue doing sportswashing," bin
Salman said in an interview that aired on Fox News.
● The country has invested over $50 billion in sports since 2016, including hosting WWE events, international
golf competitions, and Formula 1 races, as well as an attempt to sign soccer star Kylian Mbappé.
● Hosting the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and purchasing 80% of English Premier League club Newcastle United
have drawn outrage from human rights groups.
○ They view this as an attempt to improve Saudi Arabia’s reputation.
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Moving Leagues for the
money is wrong
● Fairplay- Buying out players from other leagues creates ethical concerns
● Integrity- Players develop strong relationships with their teammates and fans, leaving solely for
financial gain is a betrayal of his loyalty.
● Impact on soccer- Excessive financial incentives can lead to questions about integrity of the sport,
especially if transfers are solely by money rather than a genuine interest in the sport itself.
● Fans may feel disconnected from the team if they perceive that success is bought rather than earned
through organic development and team building.
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Long-term sustainability
● It is not sustainable to recruit top players in today’s age, once they retire they will have a falloff in
talent.
● Many international players sign relatively short term contracts. This constant turnover can disrupt team
chemistry and stability, making it challenging to build a consistent and successful team
● Relying heavily on foreign talent can hinder the development of domestic players
● Over 50 labor disputes involving Saudi clubs have been heard inside the past 12 months
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Impact on Global
Soccer
● National Identity: Soccer can play a significant role in shaping a nation's identity.
● The influx of money into the player transfer market can lead to inflated transfer fees and player
salaries, affecting the overall economics of soccer worldwide.
● Saudi Arabia should consider adopting a more balanced and sustainable approach.
● Balancing financial strength with responsible and sustainable practices such as youth development
● Focusing on long term team-building strategies rather than relying solely on financial resources to
attract players.
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Public Opinion
● Jordan Henderson receives backlash for following the money
● Advocates of LGBTQ+ rights feel let down by Henderson because he has been an outspoken
supporter in the past.
● In the open letter published by the Liverpool Echo newspaper: “Many find this choice
“unforgivable”
● Supporting LGBTQ risks imprisonment and corporal punishment for same-sex relations
● If it is money you want, Saudi Arabia is the place to be. But if soccer is your priority players will
look elsewhere.
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Conclusion
Is it morally right for Saudi Arabia to largely invest in the transfer of soccer stars to the SPL?
● It is not morally right for Saudi Arabia to invest in the transfer of soccer stars.
● Saudi Arabia is only doing these things for their own economic gain and not for the love of the game
itself.
● Their approach won’t be sustainable and is ruining the integrity of the game.
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DISCUSSION
● Do real football fans support teams or just players?
● Are the saudis risking ruining the integrity of the sport for their financial gain?
● Should there be rules in place on how much money leagues can throw at their players?
● Should financial considerations be the primary factor in a player's decision to move to a different club or
country?
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Works Cited
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