S1E6: Dissecting Saudi Arabia's splurge in world football

Should fans welcome it or be concerned? And why? Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle. A new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom kicked off in August 2023, as the league took its first bold steps towards becoming a force to be reckoned with in world football. Football is currently in the limelight with the Saudi Pro League having invested over €600 million (S$886.7 million) to lure a host of top players and coaches from European clubs.  What is the end goal? Sport business group leader for Deloitte Asia-Pacific - James Walton - and ST Sports columnist John Brewin, join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss the pursuit of sports dominance by Saudi Arabia and if the rest of the sporting world should be concerned. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:20 The differences between what China did with its Chinese Super League and the Saudi attempt 9:00 Why are Saudi Arabia so invested in sport? What is their goal? 15:10 Should fans be concerned by Saudi Arabia’s investment in football and sport? 22:20 John Brewin on why the influx of money into the English Premier League was more accepted compared to the latest trend in the Middle East 28:40 The future of Saudi Arabia’s plans in sports Read more: https://str.sg/iSkj Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Paxton Pang & Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Follow ST Sports Talk & Hard Tackle Podcasts every second and fourth Wednesdays of the month: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #sportstalk #asianinsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.