Should we be alarmed that Middle East money is taking over sport?

[ASEAN NOW News]

With the latest news that the European Tour will now be renamed the DP World Championship, are we slowing losing control of our sports.

 

Newcastle is another example where money rather than morals talks, as a major Saudi fund has bought the club much to the concern of many.

 

Newcastle owners

 

Infact now it is rumored that all Premier League sides may ban selling players to the club.

 

The World Cup is off to Qatar, where they are spending US$200Billion on stadiums, and it is quite obvious that the Middle East sheikhs want to take over football.

 

 

PSG in France, Manchester City in England and several clubs in Europe are now owned by Middle East funds. They are here already!

 

Boxing matches are now being attracted to Saudi with massive purses.

 

The Ladies European Tour now play there regularly and even the likes of Dustin Johnson and Bryson De Chambeau took huge appearance fees to play there.

 

Greg Norman is also working with the Saudis and has offered US$200m to the Asian Tour, to increase prize money substantially across their schedules, which of course include more stops in the Middle East.

 

Norman is also aiming to set up a rival tour to compete with the mighty PGA Tour, and feathers are being ruffled.

 

Cricket and Racing

 

Abu Dhabi have been hosting the World Cup Cricket, due to it being unsafe to host the tournaments in India or Europe.

 

Could the mega rich Abu Dhabi government now have their eye on buying Lords Cricket ground? The members will be horrified!!!

 

More Cash for Frankie

 

The inaugural Saudi Cup with prize money of $20m, is now the world’s richest horse race.

 

Vision 2030 programme

 

Saudi Arabia are keen to diversify away from relying solely on oil exploration and wish to put the country on to the global stage.

 

The budgets to achieve this are massive.

 

But it is also having repercussions across many sports including motor racing, athletics, tennis, golf, and boxing.

 

Some grumble that Gulf states’ financial influence is distorting markets, while campaigners accuse autocratic regimes of using sports brands to deflect attention from poor human rights records.

 

The Saudis want to reshape perceptions about the desert state and shake-up the nation’s conservative society.

It is all part of their Vision 2030 programme of economic reform, and sport is seen as one way to attract attention.

 

Simon Chadwick, a professor of enterprise at the UK’s Salford Business School, says the phenomenon is changing the global sports industry “tangibly and intangibly.”

 

“It has changed the face of world sport,” he says.

 

“There’s an expectation that the region is going to be a source of revenue. And it increases expectations about what it takes to bid for and organise an event.”

 

The entry of Saudi Arabia, which boasts the Middle East’s biggest economy and the Arab Gulf’s largest population, into the sports bidding market could have the most impact yet.

 

“The sky is the limit for us because it is the mandate within the 2030 Vision to host the best competitions, to promote Saudi in terms of tourism and to use sports, culture and entertainment as a tool,” says Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, chairman of the kingdom’s General Sports Authority.

 

The alarm bells have been ringing for some time, and the lure of the Saudi dollars is becoming hard to resist, especially as many businesses across sport are in financial difficulties, due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

 

God forbid if we have to get used to Wimbledon’s iconic tournament being called Jeddah Championships!!!

 

Mike Bridge     Editor Golf in Thailand  November 13th 2021

 

Join our 3 x a week Thailand News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

 

[bkk_bwana]

So it's OK for Editor of The Pattaya Golfer, Thai Golf News on line, Principal at Big Mango Productions and Executive Producer at Tee Off TV show as a foreigner, doing business in a host country to comment on foreign involvement of sport clubs in the UK.

I call hypocrisy. 

The comment "God forbid if we have to get used to Wimbledon’s iconic tournament being called Jeddah Championships!!!" is pure racism. 

Britain is, and has always been open for investors of any nation. 

[OneMoreFarang]

When I was a kid people talked about the morality of (football) player being sold and bought by football clubs. It seems nobody sees any moral issues with that anymore.

 

I think Stephen Leather described it nicely in his last novel: "...but prior to that there was nothing to do other than sit and pretend to be interested in twenty-two multi-millionaires kicking a ball around."

 

Edited November 13, 2021 by OneMoreFarang

[sanuk711]

9 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When I was a kid people talked about the morality of (football) player being sold and bought by football clubs. It seems nobody sees any moral issues with that anymore.

I think the Bosman agreement put paid to that issue-----

----------------------------

 

"Twenty years ago today, relatively unknown Belgian midfielder Jean-Marc Bosman helped changed the face of football.

Once the European Court of Justice ruled that clubs no longer had to pay transfer fees after the expiration of a player's contract, all hell broke loose. Suddenly it was a free-for-all." - Sir Alex Ferguson, 2015

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

China worse. genocide, disapperances, autocratic. articles written but never reappear ( uighurs). nothing much said or done by the west as west addicted to ccp money…… China substantial money in Sport for sure but better concealed I imagine.

 

Newcastle situation will not go away. big mistake by KSA to think that the outspoken english fans and newspapers will stay quiet like their masters. they couldn’t give a toss. protest banners and critical articles will be out for every match. nightmare for the saudi owners and the english director wife…….

 

CIA said that Crown Prince MBS directed that journalist murder….. in their own embassy ……breathtaking arrogance.outrageous that KSA, North Korea, Sudan still sit in the UN……KSA sits on UN Human Rights Council !!! China I get is simply too large & powerful to kick out……..

[thaibeachlovers]

Should we be alarmed that Middle East money is taking over sport?

 

Why? Will it change anything on the field? It's still kicking a little ball around.

 

Beyond a few, will the majority care?

Edited November 13, 2021 by thaibeachlovers

[Will B Good]

Middle East money has to find a home.......with the revenues from oil and gas destined to decline they have huge capital reserves that need to be invested somewhere to replace that revenue.

 

Sport is just the start I guess.

 

It will be interesting to see where else the money goes.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Middle East money has to find a home.......with the revenues from oil and gas destined to decline they have huge capital reserves that need to be invested somewhere to replace that revenue.

 

Sport is just the start I guess.

 

It will be interesting to see where else the money goes.

Perhaps buying safe havens to escape to when the real money runs out for the increasing population. When I was there 8 children per mother was normal, and few actually worked in a real job.

Edited November 13, 2021 by thaibeachlovers

[Henryford]

I think it's a major issue. We have the last 3 F1 races in the Middle East (4 this season) in countries that have zero motor sport history. But then most sport is blocked to the average TV viewer so does it matter if they race around the sand dunes. We lost Fox Sports from 1.10.21 so there goes any coverage of F1, MotoGP, WSB etc. (Don't mention Truevisions i wouldn't give them a single satang).

Edited November 13, 2021 by Henryford

[Will B Good]

6 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Perhaps buying safe havens to escape to when the real money runs out for the increasing population. When I was there 8 children per mother was normal, and few actually worked in a real job.

The trouble is they need solid revenue more than potential asset growth......... I guess

[86Tiger]

 

 

Professional = Make money

 

"We" have never had control of sport, control has always gone to the highest bidder.

 

 

[SheikYabodyline]

Lost interest in professional sport with all its machinations decades ago; give me a local amateur cricket or football match with a few pints during and after.

Little expense, among friends, no travelling or push and shove. Plus you don't have to support these overpaid knuckleheads. Perfect. 

[GreasyFingers]

If you do not like the Arab money in sport just don't turn the television on. The money paid to players is obscene but the plebs want to see them (the old bread and circuses routine).

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

On 11/13/2021 at 10:27 AM, bkk_bwana said:

So it's OK for Editor of The Pattaya Golfer, Thai Golf News on line, Principal at Big Mango Productions and Executive Producer at Tee Off TV show as a foreigner, doing business in a host country to comment on foreign involvement of sport clubs in the UK.

Does he build skyscrapers and stadiums with what's essentially slave labor? Withholding passports, wages, and forcing them to work, often to death?

 

Does he enforce strict dress codes, jail and fines for a little too much skin? In 40 degree weather? And the same for perhaps a little too much public display of romance? Yet he wants his countries to be international tourist destinations?

 

Does he still consider women second class citizens, with many job opportunities denied, and domestic violence often condoned?

[RocketDog]

On 11/13/2021 at 1:13 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Should we be alarmed that Middle East money is taking over sport?

 

Why? Will it change anything on the field? It's still kicking a little ball around.

 

Beyond a few, will the majority care?

Beach, you've got it in one.

 

Like music and many other industries, sports is all about money. It's always been manipulated to benefit investors. Nothing new except the faces.

As long as people can spend countless hours watching grown men hit/kick/knock balls around and worship their sports heroes, nobody will really care. They can still buy sports apparel and overpriced sneakers despite not being able to run ten feet by themselves.

It's all part of the game. Don't stress.

If you want sports then go do them yourself. It will free your mind and improve your body.

[thaibeachlovers]

13 minutes ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

Does he build skyscrapers and stadiums with what's essentially slave labor? Withholding passports, wages, and forcing them to work, often to death?

 

Does he enforce strict dress codes, jail and fines for a little too much skin? In 40 degree weather? And the same for perhaps a little too much public display of romance? Yet he wants his countries to be international tourist destinations?

 

Does he still consider women second class citizens, with many job opportunities denied, and domestic violence often condoned?

There is no single "he" involved in Saudi.

It's the religious police that "enforce strict dress codes, jail and fines for a little too much skin", and as for the royals, if they have to have bullet proof glass in front of them in the sports stadium ( which they do, and I visited the stadium to know ) they are not so powerful as you imply.

They are IMO merely the top layer in a morass of competing interests, and terrified of being eliminated, by those that don't consider the kingdom pure enough.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/13/2021 at 7:02 PM, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

KSA sits on UN Human Rights Council !!! 

Politics makes for strange bedfellows, but it's the UN so what do you expect? IMO the UN is a complete waste of space.

[sanuk711]

Aren't we just supposed to just talk about --whats happening in our local Moo Barn etc......  Start talking about world things like this & before we know it , we will be discussing Russia looming occupation of the Ukraine----or why are there still Americans unable to get out of Afghanistan. Safer that we stick to why the price of Som Tom has increased.  

 

Oh I guess football is safe...................

[Pedrogaz]

Let them have it. Sports are stupid and are scientifically proven to weaken the brain. The only reason for sports is to give ignorant men something to talk about in the pub.

[robertson468]

2 hours ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

Does he build skyscrapers and stadiums with what's essentially slave labor? Withholding passports, wages, and forcing them to work, often to death?

 

Does he enforce strict dress codes, jail and fines for a little too much skin? In 40 degree weather? And the same for perhaps a little too much public display of romance? Yet he wants his countries to be international tourist destinations?

 

Does he still consider women second class citizens, with many job opportunities denied, and domestic violence often condoned?

And that was UK and Europe pre WW2!  They will come round in time, maybe not your time or my time, but they will come round.......in time!

[roquefort]

On 11/13/2021 at 10:27 AM, bkk_bwana said:

So it's OK for Editor of The Pattaya Golfer, Thai Golf News on line, Principal at Big Mango Productions and Executive Producer at Tee Off TV show as a foreigner, doing business in a host country to comment on foreign involvement of sport clubs in the UK.

I call hypocrisy. 

The comment "God forbid if we have to get used to Wimbledon’s iconic tournament being called Jeddah Championships!!!" is pure racism. 

Britain is, and has always been open for investors of any nation. 

I think you're missing the point. It's not just about investment, it's about control.

 

When the billions of $ that these Middle Eastern governments can throw at sport allow them to dictate the name of the European Tour, divert GPs and World Cups to countries with zero sporting history and create a monopoly of the best players in the world, it goes beyond mere investment.

 

And the comment about Wimbledon is not racism, it's just common sense.

Edited November 15, 2021 by roquefort

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

27 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

And that was UK and Europe pre WW2!  They will come round in time, maybe not your time or my time, but they will come round.......in time!

Possibly but its glacially slow. Arabs HAD advanced civilization,or knowledge of it, with close proximity to Ancient Egypt & Mesopotamia, for three thousand years,  beforethe Romans civilized western europe. they actually went backwards from 800 years ago after Mongol destruction of  Damascus & Baghdad, the most advanced cultures then. they seem to have rejected social modernity as inconsistent with their culture. which suits the feudal rulers in place.

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

There is no single "he" involved in Saudi.

I meant "he" as in the editor of the article, who was said is being a hypocrite because he does business in a foreign country. So I asked, is he doing all those things the Arab world is doing?

Edited November 15, 2021 by CrunchWrapSupreme

[Thingamabob]

No particular objection, just a shame that so much in the UK is up for sale to whoever from wherever.

[Clarkey611]

On 11/13/2021 at 1:13 PM, Will B Good said:

Middle East money has to find a home.......with the revenues from oil and gas destined to decline they have huge capital reserves that need to be invested somewhere to replace that revenue.

 

Sport is just the start I guess.

 

It will be interesting to see where else the money goes.

Could they take in some refugees?

[Will B Good]

16 minutes ago, Clarkey611 said:

Could they take in some refugees?

Only the ones that can live in abject poverty, constant danger and can build football stadiums int the blistering heat.

[allanos]

I lost all interest in English footie when so many English footballers became replaced by high-priced foreign imports. I found it difficult to relate to players from beyond the kingdom.

 

Sure, possibly the quality of the game improved, I wouldn't know, but as something of a nationalist, I found it disappointing.

 

Nowadays, of course, it's the "new normal", and most young people wouldn't know what I'm blathering on about.

[itsari]

My opinion is we should be concerned about any takeover of sport from business interests. 

Take a look at how the law on football club ownership works in Germany .

Basically the control of the club is held by the supporters  of the club .

 

[bert bloggs]

On 11/13/2021 at 1:13 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Should we be alarmed that Middle East money is taking over sport?

 

Why? Will it change anything on the field? It's still kicking a little ball around.

 

Beyond a few, will the majority care?

No,couldnt care less.

[Will B Good]

Just now, bert bloggs said:

No,couldnt care less.

The only thing that would annoy me is the astronomical salaries they will receive.

 

There was an app that let you enter your current salary and it told you when you would have to have starting earning that salary to make as much money as Ronaldo.

 

For me it was 1495...............????