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The Saudi Pro League and Portuguese pay-TV network Sport TV have inked a broadcast rights partnership that includes all games featuring soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Confirmed:
- Saudi Pro League agreed deal with agency giant IMG to sell rights overseas
- Sportitalia secured Italian rights to Saudi Arabia’s top-flight
- Italian TV network to provide ‘Ronaldo-cam’ training and behind-the-scenes content featuring the soccer star
- French rights have been picked up by the RMC Sport pay-TV service
- Sportdigital Fussball secures Pro League rights for Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- League lands on pay-TV network Cosmote in Greece
Context:
Ronaldo, 37, was named by SportsPro as the world’s most marketable athlete last year and has significantly increased the profile of Saudi Arabia’s top flight since signing a bumper contract with Al Nassr at the start of the year.
The Portuguese star made his debut for his new club on 22nd January but his presence has already seen Paris Saint-Germain visit for a friendly against a Saudi Pro League all-star XI.
Coming next:
The new broadcast rights deals will generate further exposure for Saudi Pro League and it is hoped that Ronaldo’s arrival will attract more big name players to help grow audiences globally.
Ronaldo’s contract was also said to have included the soccer star taking on an ambassadorial role for Saudi Arabia as it prepares a joint bid to host the 2030 Fifa World Cup. This has been denied by Al Nassr.
