Saudi sports push targets NFL with flag football series featuring Tom Brady The Public Investment Fund is not yet investing in the National Football League amid restrictions on state entities, but is eyeing flag football as the sport grows in the region. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia launches 24-hour women’s sports channel: What to know The launch coincides with the start of the Saudi Women’s Premier League season, which will see the soccer competition broadcast nationally and globally for the first time. Saudi Arabia
World's largest illegal sports streaming site shut down after Egypt arrests Streameast, believed to be the world’s largest illegal sports streaming network, was taken down in August during a sting operation conducted by Egyptian authorities in collaboration with a US anti-piracy group. Egypt
Dubai Police to host expanded esports event amid UAE gaming push: What to know The UAE wants to grow its esports sector as part of its economic diversification plans, mirroring a similar endeavor in neighboring Saudi Arabia. United Arab Emirates
Qatari royal submits last-ditch $6.2 billion offer for Manchester United The updated offer, submitted Tuesday, is believed to be close to £5 billion ($6.2 billion) but shy of the current owners’ £6 billion ($7.4 billion) valuation for the soccer club. Legacy: Gulf
FC Barcelona 'hugely confident' on Messi return despite Saudi bid The Catalonian soccer team are in a tug-of-war with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal to snap up the 2022 World Cup winner. Legacy: Gulf
Lionel Messi move to Saudi Arabia from PSG 'a done deal': Report Jorge Messi said the decision on a transfer of the 2022 World Cup winner will not be taken until the end of the season. Legacy: Gulf
Cristiano Ronaldo world’s highest paid athlete at $136 million Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2023 list of the highest grossing athletes playing soccer in Saudi Arabia, which also gave tens of millions of dollars in upfront guarantees to top earners Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. Legacy: Gulf
Qatari royal to invest $1bn more in Manchester United bid: report Despite the sweetened offer from the Qatari banker, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be the favorite to buy the English soccer club, according to reports. Legacy: Gulf
Cristiano Ronaldo disappoints as Saudi Al Nassr loses King Cup Ronaldo is the biggest player to ever play in Saudi Arabia, but his tenure in the kingdom has been disappointing to some fans. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar's Sheikh Jassim still confident in Manchester United takeover bid The son of a former Qatari emir is reportedly still assured that his debt-free bid to take over the soccer club will succeed, despite an ESPN report suggesting that the current owners, the Glazer brothers, will now stay put. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar’s takeover of Manchester United unlikely as Glazers plan to stay put: report An ESPN report suggests that current owners may want to hold onto the club and try and double its value. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Yorkshire cricket club is latest UK team to seek Middle East investment Experts see a growing trend in Middle Eastern investors wanting to get involved in British sports, as countries in the region diversify their economies. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi Arabia inks 14 deals at Jeddah Grand Prix in boost to sports industry The agreements were part of a comprehensive sponsorship program hosted by Invest Saudi, the kingdom’s investment promotion entity. The value of the deals was not disclosed. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar's Manchester United takeover could monetize new Mideast fan base A Qatari takeover of the English soccer club would “turbocharge” the global presence of the English Premier League, analysts told Al-Monitor Legacy: Gulf
Anti-Kurdish racism stains soccer pitch in western Turkey The attacks raised the specter of inter-communal violence ahead of watershed elections that are due to be held on May 14 Turkey
