Column: What next for the Saudi Pro League and how does European football react?
IMAGO | Al-Nassr FC's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during a Saudi Pro League match against Al-Raed FC.
Aggressive spending and inflated transfer fees for aging players have limitations. They indirectly bolster the competition through the redistribution of transfer wealth rather than weakening it, Dan Plumley and Rob Wilson write in this column.
Furthermore, the theory also suggests that broadcasters are reluctant to air games with empty seats, and physical matchday attendance will remain a concern for the Saudi Pro League in the short to medium term.
Why it matters: Over the last 3-4 months, the Saudi Pro League has become the "Talk of The Town," leaving a significant impact on most football stakeholders. But what further changes will the next couple of years bring?
The perspective: The UEFA Champions League poses a challenge for the Saudi Pro League. However, if broadcast revenues decline, there is likely to be more unrest, and the Super League conversation may resurface.
25 September 2023 - 3:04 PM
The Saudi Pro League took on the European football heavy weights this summer, particularly in the 2023 player transfer market, spending almost $1bn dollars, more than each of the top leagues in France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Though the English Premier League remained the biggest spenders.
Plans for the Saudi Pro League are bullish, seeking to buy competitive access to the European elite, with clubs signing some of the most recognisable footballers on the planet, inclu
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