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Fox Sports Ties up With Saudi for a Reported $500K as They Look To Treat American Audiences

Published 08/11/2023, 8:02 AM EDT

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A recent report from World Soccer Talk has shed light on a significant development in the sports broadcasting arena. This latest move represents a substantial leap forward in the Saudi Pro League’s ongoing efforts to establish a prominent global presence.

FOX Sports grabs Broadcasting rights

As outlined in the report, FOX Sports has successfully secured the coveted U.S. media rights. They will broadcast the upcoming season of the Saudi Pro League. This season is scheduled to commence this Friday and extend until May 2024. A notable aspect of this deal is the comprehensive coverage that FOX Sports will provide, encompassing both English and Spanish broadcasts.

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Notably, the league has also entered into agreements with other key players for broadcasting rights in different regions. DAZN, for instance, has secured rights for the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria. Canal+ is poised to handle broadcasts in France and Africa.

Building up to these recent media agreements, the Saudi Pro League has been making waves in the soccer realm by making high-profile player acquisitions. They are extending alluring offers to renowned talents. Among these acquisitions are Karim Benzema from France and Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal. Both are now associated with Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, respectively. The league’s ambitions go beyond these signings, however.

The power move of Bringing Popular Names 

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It made headlines by presenting substantial contract offers to none other than Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. While Messi eventually chose to join Inter Miami in the MLS, Al-Hilal, a prominent soccer club, extended an astonishing multi-year deal. It exceeded a staggering $1 billion to entice him. Similarly, Al-Hilal made an impressive one-year contract offer worth $776 million to Mbappe, especially after his intentions to part ways with Paris Saint-Germain became apparent.

However, these substantial investments have not been without controversy. Critics have raised concerns over Saudi Arabia’s extensive involvement in sports. It could serve as a potential diversion from the pressing human rights concerns the country faces. This narrative gains traction as Saudi Arabia hosts a variety of combat sports events and forges innovative partnerships, such as its collaboration with the PGA Tour to create an entirely new golf entity.

Saudi Club’s $776,000,000 Offer to Kylian Mbappe Creates Panic Among Premier League Clubs as They Expect ‘Massive Rise’ in Salary Demands

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In essence, the recent FOX Sports deal marks a significant milestone for the Saudi Pro League. This aligns with its broader objective of gaining worldwide recognition. Yet, these ambitious strides are met with scepticism. Some question the underlying motivations behind these substantial investments against the backdrop of serious human rights issues.

Watch this story: Nbas 5th Richest Contract Holder Giannis Antetokounmpo Eyes 700000000 By Hilariously Enticing Saudis Away From Kylian Mbappe

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Written by:

Naman Singh

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Naman Singh is a writer at EssentiallySports who covers Sports Viral Moments. His arsenal is well-rounded and he surely knows how to keep the readers engaged. Naman is interested in covering live events, as well as the off-court drama that comes with it.
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Edited by:

Priyadarshini Ajay