Saudi Sovereign fund

Kinkybyname said:
game-changer?


https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakgar...o-league-will-change-england/?sh=279aad77ceab
Click to expand...
That is the very definition of a puff piece.

Nothing he says is wrong, per se, but it is absolutely not a balanced analysis of current overall football market, the impact of the SIF hoovering up talent across the European leagues for wages a magnitude greater than offered in any other league in the world (not even we, the destroyers of football, did that), nor the viability (or sustainability) of the Saudi Pro League.

In fact, he bemoans European football’s talent drain in Africa and South America without so much as a nod to irony, given the SIF is doing just that now, whilst also having quietly attempting to do so elsewhere for a few years.

I have never begrudged their approach, as it is just a supercharged, supersized version of what we did to catch up with the established elite, applied to an entire league. I have only outlined the many reasons why I think their project will fail (at least, for the stated aim of offering real competition to the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga).

But the same people shouting down the criticism of the Saudi Pro League with disingenuous propaganda like that article, were the same ones writing hit pieces when we began spending big. And many still deride us whilst singing the praises of the SIG development plan.

It’s hypocri$y that I can’t abide.

And this is a prime example.
 
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
 
SebastianBlue said:
That is the very definition of a puff piece.

Nothing he says is wrong, per se, but it is absolutely not a balanced analysis of current overall football market, the impact of the SIF hoovering up talent across the European leagues for wages a magnitude greater than offered in any other league in the world (not even we, the destroyers of football, did that), nor the viability (or sustainability) of the Saudi Pro League.

In fact, he bemoans European football’s talent drain in Africa and South America without so much as a nod to irony, given the SIF is doing just that now, whilst also having quietly attempting to do so elsewhere for a few years.

I have never begrudged their approach, as it is just a supercharged, supersized version of what we did to catch up with the established elite, applied to an entire league. I have only outlined the many reasons why I think their project will fail (at least, for the stated aim of offering real competition to the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga).

But the same people shouting down the criticism of the Saudi Pro League with disingenuous propaganda like that article, were the same ones writing hit pieces when we began spending big. And many still deride us whilst singing the praises of the SIG development plan.

It’s hypocri$y that I can’t abide.

And this is a prime example.
Click to expand...

"Hypocrisy" is everywhere, of course, and is apparent on both sides of this debate. Those saying the Saudi development is bad without recognising they are only doing to the PL now what the PL has been doing to other leagues for years, and those saying it is good after criticising City's spending after the takeover, for example.

I put hypocrisy in quotation marks because I doubt these are particularly strongly held views from the press, rather they are just following the money. Which puts them into the **** category, rather than the hypocrite category, in my eyes. I did say at the start of this Saudi adventure that they have the money to keep the press sweet, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see more "Saudi league good" stuff soon, and regularly.

Anyway, I share your view on the Saudi league - it won't be a threat to the PL. One thing I wrote several times in speeches in a former life was that you can't buy heritage. But I also don't think that is the Saudi plan. It's just a small, if very visible, part of their modernisation programme and when they get, and successfully execute (yes, I know ...) the 2034 WC, they will have achieved their objective.
 
jrb said:
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
Click to expand...
But you're forgetting one thing. He'd have to spend at least that much on sunblock to live in the desert.
 
jrb said:
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
Click to expand...
I'm sure he will. Bearing in mind he's 32 now then he's probably only here for a couple more seasons regardless - no different to going to the mls or china as players in their 30s have done for years.
 
Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese said:
I'm sure he will. Bearing in mind he's 32 now then he's probably only here for a couple more seasons regardless - no different to going to the mls or china as players in their 30s have done for years.
Click to expand...
I hope they all go and we get relegated for being cheats at least we will get away tickets for Hartlepool
 
Indaparkside said:
I hope they all go and we get relegated for being cheats at least we will get away tickets for Hartlepool
Click to expand...
No city fans will be allowed in any games after next season. All blues will be banned for life from football as singing 'sign on' will be designated as tragedy chanting and a hate crime.
 
jrb said:
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
Click to expand...
It all depends on if wants to go into semi-retirement or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top
✖
  AdBlock Detected
Bluemoon relies on advertising to pay our hosting fees. Please support the site by disabling your ad blocking software to help keep the forum sustainable. Thanks.