The Athletic FC Podcast Summary

Episode: At What Cost? Saudi Arabia and Soccer
Release Date: July 6, 2025
Host: Adam Leventhal
Participants: David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton, Matt Slater, and various guests

1. Introduction

The episode titled "At What Cost? Saudi Arabia and Soccer" delves into Saudi Arabia's extensive investments in the global football landscape. Hosted by Adam Leventhal, the podcast examines the multifaceted relationship between Saudi wealth, soft power strategies, and the world of soccer, raising critical questions about the underlying motives and consequences of such engagements.

2. Saudi Arabia's Strategic Investment in Football

Saudi Arabia has been strategically embedding itself in football to enhance its global presence. Adam Leventhal outlines three key pillars of this involvement:

• Public Investment Fund (PIF) Ownership: "The nation's Public Investment Fund, or PIF, controls one of the Premier League's biggest teams. At long, long last, Newcastle United are winners." (00:01)

• Saudi Pro League Development: "The Saudi Pro League built around a global football icon and PR machine, Ronaldo." (00:01)

• Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034: "They will indeed be hosting the game's biggest event." (00:01)

This trifecta highlights Saudi Arabia's aim to dominate both the administrative and competitive aspects of football.

3. Influence on Major Tournaments

Saudi Arabia's influence extends to major football tournaments held in the United States this summer:

• Club World Cup in Miami: Saudi-backed Al Hilal showcased their prowess by competing against top European clubs like Real Madrid, eventually reaching the quarterfinals. “Al Hilal have their leveling goal in Miami.” (00:01)

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: Influenced by Saudi wealth, the tournament saw enhanced commercial partnerships. "The tournaments were commercially strengthened by the kingdom's wealth." (00:01)

These events served as platforms for Saudi Arabia to project its brand and establish deeper ties within the global football community.

4. PIF and DAZN Partnerships

A significant aspect of Saudi Arabia's football strategy involves strategic partnerships:

• PIF and FIFA Partnership: PIF became an official partner of FIFA, aligning with other major sponsors like Airbnb and Visa. “Nine days before it started, FIFA announced PIF as an official partner.” (Transcript Segment)

• DAZN's Involvement: DAZN secured broadcasting rights for the Club World Cup for $1 billion, with PIF’s investment arm, Surge, acquiring a stake in DAZN for the same amount. “DAZN paid FIFA $1 billion for the club World cup broadcast rights.” (Transcript Segment)

These partnerships amplify Saudi Arabia's influence by integrating their investments deeply into the football media and financial infrastructures.

Notable Quote: "We have to recognize this is a global game. We're part of a global community." – Don Garber, MLS Commissioner and US Soccer Board Member (Near end of transcript)

5. Human Rights and Sport Washing Concerns

The episode critically addresses the darker side of Saudi involvement in football:

• Human Rights Violations: Highlighting cases like journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and the execution of Turki Al Jasir, the podcast underscores the ongoing human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. “If we entertain people at the expense of other people who are going to be killed, tortured… You're just not entertaining anybody.” (Sarah Mohammed)

• Sport Washing Tactics: Saudi Arabia's investments are portrayed as efforts to "cleanse" its international image. “If we let this slide, we will all be next. I will be next.” (Abdullah Aloda)

• FIFA's Human Rights Policy: Critics argue FIFA failed to enforce its own policies when awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia, with calls for more substantive reforms. “Minimum human rights requirements… have not been focused on or implemented.” (Rodney Dixon, KC)

Notable Quote: "Abdullah Aloda knows that all too well from personal family experience." – Abdullah Aloda, Senior Director for Countering Authoritarianism, Middle East Democracy Center (Transcript Segment)

6. Geopolitical Implications

The podcast explores the broader geopolitical ramifications of Saudi Arabia's sports investments:

• Regional Stability: Ongoing conflicts, such as US-Iran tensions, pose threats to Saudi's Vision 2030 projects. “They have a plain objective of wanting to be one of the best.” (Herve Renard, Saudi Head Coach)

• Global Power Dynamics: Saudi Arabia’s deepening involvement in sports is part of a larger strategy to shift global power balances and enhance its geopolitical influence. “Saudi Arabia moves forward towards hosting a World cup and even greater geopolitical influence.” (Adam Leventhal)

Notable Quote: "Mohammed Bin Salman has his Vision 2030, which is all about these massive projects, especially on the Red Sea coastline." – Christian Coates Ulrichsen, Middle East Fellow at Baker Institute (Transcript Segment)

7. Stakeholder Perspectives

Various stakeholders provide insights into Saudi Arabia's role in football:

• Players and Coaches: Some Saudi-affiliated players express pride and support for their country's football initiatives, emphasizing financial investment as a catalyst for growth. “Soft power is very important for every country.” (Saudi Player)

• Critics and Experts: Former journalists and human rights advocates condemn Saudi's tactics, warning of the dangers of conflating sports with political agendas. “It's an atrocious conclusion of our humanity.” (Sarah Mohammed)

• Football Authorities: FIFA and CONCACAF defend their partnerships, asserting the importance of global engagement despite criticisms. “We are democratizing football together.” – Gianni Infantino, FIFA President (Transcript Segment)

Notable Quote: "There is a double standard here which I really don't understand, but there is no issue." – Gianni Infantino, FIFA President (Transcript Segment)

8. Vision 2030 and Future Plans

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing oil dependency, heavily incorporates sports and entertainment:

• Mega Projects: Initiatives like NEOM and Qiddiya are being developed as futuristic cities and entertainment hubs, with the 2034 World Cup serving as a flagship event. “Surge target 120 million visitors a year.” (Transcript Segment)

• Infrastructure Development: Plans include building 11 new state-of-the-art stadiums to enhance the live viewing experience and support large-scale events.

• Long-term Goals: Sustained investment in football is designed to position Saudi Arabia as a central player in the global sports industry, both economically and culturally.

Notable Quote: "Everything is set up perfectly, but also pivotally, those who fear its impact." – Adam Leventhal (Transcript Segment)

9. Conclusion

The episode encapsulates the complex interplay between Saudi Arabia’s ambitious sporting investments and the associated ethical and geopolitical challenges. While the kingdom leverages football to boost its global standing and economic goals, significant concerns about human rights and political motives persist. The podcast calls for a critical examination of these dynamics, questioning whether the allure of sports investment justifies the underlying costs.

Final Notable Quote: "But if you entertain people at the expense of other people who are going to be killed, tortured, because you are basically empowering their torturer, their killer. You're just not entertaining anybody." – Sarah Mohammed, MEDC Middle East Democracy Center (Final Sections)

Produced by: Jesse Howard
Executive Producer: Abby Patterson
Written and Presented by: Adam Leventhal

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting Saudi Arabia's strategic investments in football, the resulting influence on global tournaments, the intricate partnerships formed, and the significant human rights concerns that cast a shadow over these developments. The episode underscores the tension between sports as a unifying global force and its potential misuse as a tool for political and economic agendas.