Roshen League TV rights attract 900 million riyals

The Saudi Professional League has witnessed significant development in TV broadcasting rights, with the Saudi League concluding a three-year contract with SSC Channels worth 900 million riyals (300 million riyals annually).

After a group of international stars joined the Saudi League, international sports channels and platforms began broadcasting league matches around the world. Several platforms acquired the rights to broadcast matches, including DAZN in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Austria, and Ireland; Canal+ in France; MAX SPORT BOLGARIA in Bulgaria; and SUPER SPORT ALBANIA in Albania.

Broadcasting channels also include GOAT and BAND in Brazil, LA7 in Italy, SPORT TV PORTUGAL in Portugal, PRIMA SPORT in Romania, and MARCA in Spain. Other broadcasting networks include TV8.5 in Turkey, SPORT DIGITAL GERMANY in Germany, SETANTA SPORT in Ukraine and Georgia, TV Azteca Deportes in Mexico and Central America, FOX Sports in the United States, COSMOTE TV in Greece, SONY LIV in India, SPOTV in Japan, blue SPORT in Switzerland, SPORT KLUB in Croatia and Serbia, and STARTIMES in Africa, in addition to a broadcast channel in China.

The transformation strategy announced by the Saudi Professional League includes three main tracks aimed at strengthening administrative work in clubs, attracting elite players, and increasing the league’s global competitiveness. The first track focuses on developing administrative work in clubs by creating a specialized unit within the league to improve the technical and artistic expertise of sports personnel and measure their development according to local and Asian standards. The second track focuses on implementing the “Elite Player Attraction” program to raise the league’s commercial value, increase competitiveness, and attract investors. It also aims to raise the level of young Saudi players. The 2023-24 Roshen League season kicked off on August 11, 2023, with widespread interest from sports fans around the world after attracting top international stars. This season represents a new step toward developing the Saudi League and achieving its ambitious goals of competing at the international level. These steps are part of a strong privatization policy, with the Public Investment Fund owning majority stakes in four of the largest clubs (Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli), while Saudi Aramco acquired Al-Qadisiyah Club, restructuring the strategies of these clubs in line with the Fund’s objectives. The Saudi Professional League began in 2008 with 12 teams, expanded to 14 in the third season, reaching 16 in the 2018-2019 season, and then expanding to 18 teams in the current season. This strengthens the Saudi League’s position and makes it more competitive among the strongest international leagues.