Saudi Football League (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Happy_Martian
- Start date
AOM
Well-Known Member
All of this will happen if people watch it and want it. If they don’t it won’t. Just like sky everyone saying it’s ruined football but everyone was subscribing
I guess Sky was a bit different as it used to be the only way of some people watching their own teams play if they can't go to games and don't use dodgy streams.
Most global audiences won't have any affinity to any of the Saudi clubs so it will just be a case of following what team their favourite player plays for.
Be interested to see what the viewing figures are like, I can't see it taking off in the UK but who knows
Colin Steins Smile
Well-Known Member
I would be very surprised if this happened, due to very strained political relationships between UEFA & FIFA.
FIFA would make it very difficult for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to affiliate outside of their existing country block in the middle east.Additionally, if they were able to affiliate to UEFA, then their national team would be up against Germany, France, England, Netherlands, etc to qualify for the World Cup. Not sure the Saudi's would like that!
I think a number of UEFA countries in eastern europe will be dead against this, as it could impact on their clubs.
FIFA would make it very difficult for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to affiliate outside of their existing country block in the middle east.Additionally, if they were able to affiliate to UEFA, then their national team would be up against Germany, France, England, Netherlands, etc to qualify for the World Cup. Not sure the Saudi's would like that!
I think a number of UEFA countries in eastern europe will be dead against this, as it could impact on their clubs.
Billions of dollars smooth over relationships a treat. This is just the beginning with the Saudis. Personally I’d rather watch a league 2 game as for me it’s all about the fans passion and the history of the clubs. The fans were walking out at half time when Qatar played at home in the World Cup at home.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Yup. I have zero interest in watching Saudi football, no matter how many stars are there on show.
I do watch some Premier League football, but that's mainly because I think the City be there again one day ourselves and then also to watch any England international players and young English players for the future.
The Saudi league I don't think will ever appeal to me.
Legia Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
I agree that that their league will struggle to muster much in terms of viewing figures in the UK and Europe, where our League structures and club loyalties are long established, other than maybe an initial morbid curiosity. Further afield though it might gain more interest in the wider Arab world, the sub continent and the far East, which are all currently cash cows for the big clubs in the PL, and it might therefore gradually start impacting on their revenue streams from those areas. If so it might not actually be too bad a thing if it helps lessens the competitive edge the big PL teams get over the PL also rans.
stevefloyd
Well-Known Member
Still cannot belive that cheating diving brazillian wanker is going to get 2million a week no person walking this earth past or present is entitled to that for playing football...crazy world
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
Premier league is richest in world so not sure why British fans crying about Saudi league alone
Footballs broken when Aston villa or bournemouth can beat AC Milan to players for example
Should get angry at that too rather than be annoyed a different part of world is using money to get better
Yes prem marketed itself well and spl trying to buy attention but point still stands imo. Chelsea don't give a fuck about ffp. Man city winning champions league with financial breaches charges against them. But neymar and al hilal are the real problem with football? Hmmmm
Footballs broken when Aston villa or bournemouth can beat AC Milan to players for example
Should get angry at that too rather than be annoyed a different part of world is using money to get better
Yes prem marketed itself well and spl trying to buy attention but point still stands imo. Chelsea don't give a fuck about ffp. Man city winning champions league with financial breaches charges against them. But neymar and al hilal are the real problem with football? Hmmmm
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
Yeah, the formation of the EPL and the CL was just a stepping stone towards this. We've reaped what we've sown.
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
Prem money comes from the product though not the other way around. It’s not like there was no football culture in the U.K. until 1992. Ultimately that’s why PL is sustainable and MLS and the Saudi leagues aren’t.
Frostie
Well-Known Member
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
MLS ain't going anywhere though is it? It's only getting bigger. So it is sustainable.
Different countries have different starting points for various reasons. Does not mean their fanbases are insignificant.
Saudi league been around 50 years. Wether the money stays or not I do not know but the league probably will
I think some fans just jealous others have money that's all. It's like glory fans of man u , arsenal or Liverpool complaining about man city and newcastle. Behave. You all have lots of money. But someone always has to be the bad guy.
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
But if this graphic showed Al hilal dwarf villa or Everton etc on the future people would moan it's not fair
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
I just think you can’t force interest and prestige in the game.
Colin Steins Smile
Well-Known Member
One thing that people are missing in the funding of the Saudi league is the domestic political agenda. KSA has a young population profile and they are passionate about football.
Mohammed Bin Salman has created a number of new initiatives including cinemas , sports events etc. which helps in entertaining and distracting people from challenging the leadership.
As for the money running out ….. think again. KSA is diversifying from oil with its PIF . This mirrors Norway who created a national wealth fund with its North Sea revenues and has stakes across the world in numerous businesses which brings it big profits every year.
Mohammed Bin Salman has created a number of new initiatives including cinemas , sports events etc. which helps in entertaining and distracting people from challenging the leadership.
As for the money running out ….. think again. KSA is diversifying from oil with its PIF . This mirrors Norway who created a national wealth fund with its North Sea revenues and has stakes across the world in numerous businesses which brings it big profits every year.
jimmyhillsfanclub
Well-Known Member
If/when this happens, maybe the superleague will follow....
...then liverpool, juventus, real madrid and all the other cunts can fuck off into their Made-for-Disney closed-shop superleague with air-conditioned VAR++"....and the rest of us can have our game back.
...then liverpool, juventus, real madrid and all the other cunts can fuck off into their Made-for-Disney closed-shop superleague with air-conditioned VAR++"....and the rest of us can have our game back.
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
The mls has got a decent amount of interest over there to be fair, although it's not got any prestige.
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
MLS has overtaken NHL in North America and is gaining on MLB I believe.
It's not forcing it because it's best sport in world and people want to watch it in their country.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Yeh the MLS is absolutely not the Saudi League. Its not an awful standard either.
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covcity4life
Well-Known Member
The Saudi league isn't a poor standard either is it? How can it be with the additions? Maybe in 20 years you will be syaing same about Saudi league?
Like I said just different starting points
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Outside of a few big names, most towards the end of their careers, it's absolutely dreadful.
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covcity4life
Well-Known Member
You watched it alot since 70s have you?
NortonSkyBlue
Well-Known Member
The Saudi league is unbalanced for sure but the big teams have real credibility within Asia with champions league winners and finalists within the last seasons. The financial clout is not going away.
It will be interesting to see how it develops but from first hand experience it will be supported by fanatical fans who live and breathe their teams far more than we do.
Take your blinkers off and realize what’s coming.
It will be interesting to see how it develops but from first hand experience it will be supported by fanatical fans who live and breathe their teams far more than we do.
Take your blinkers off and realize what’s coming.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Huh? Do I need to? I can look at the teams and their playing rosters, it's not hard. Not sure why you're such a fan all of a sudden, it's a bit weird.
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covcity4life
Well-Known Member
I'm not a fan. Just being neutral. Their national team is improving . Best works cup winners in group stage. Just not sure it's fair to assume anyone homegrown is shit.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
I doubt all their home grown players are 'shit' but a few half decent Saudis and some overpaid imports does not make for a good league. Will it be good in years to come? Maybe... although I really hope it just dies off like the Chinese experiment tbh.
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covcity4life
Well-Known Member
Like what do you think the quality of MLS was when Beckham joined compared to now?
I completely get that they do it right way with university etc but end of day of Saudis love football they are going to get more and more youth playing it and making it pro and being good quality ain't they?
I completely get that they do it right way with university etc but end of day of Saudis love football they are going to get more and more youth playing it and making it pro and being good quality ain't they?
Scottish League ,ahem.
Nobody I know will give the Saudi league a second glance. Couldn't give less of a shit. It has no chance long term. You cannot manufacture tradition, rivalries, passion or loyalties. MLS maybe has a bit of a chance over time because of sporting culture in the US and established city rivalries. People watch the English football and other European leagues globally because of the product yes, but also because of the history, the fan culture (particularly away fan culture,) the rivalries - the fact that it matters to people. It moves communities.
Games in Saudi will be watched by very reserved crowds in half empty stadiums with no atmosphere and games will be played without any sort of jeopardy (even to some of those involved who are just going through the motions). They will be glorified exhibition games that nobody will watch. These new leagues - J League, A League, K League, Chinese League, who cares? They tick over and cater for local demand but nobody gives a toss, they still watch European Leagues - they watch teams with tradition, that are embedded in their local community with a history and tradition that gives meaning. Some of that has been diluted by TV money obviously, but it's still there and to suggest this new Saudi league will ever be able to manufacture that displays a complete lack of awareness and understanding of what makes this game great.
Games in Saudi will be watched by very reserved crowds in half empty stadiums with no atmosphere and games will be played without any sort of jeopardy (even to some of those involved who are just going through the motions). They will be glorified exhibition games that nobody will watch. These new leagues - J League, A League, K League, Chinese League, who cares? They tick over and cater for local demand but nobody gives a toss, they still watch European Leagues - they watch teams with tradition, that are embedded in their local community with a history and tradition that gives meaning. Some of that has been diluted by TV money obviously, but it's still there and to suggest this new Saudi league will ever be able to manufacture that displays a complete lack of awareness and understanding of what makes this game great.
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
No one is saying it's gonna be the best league in the world are they?
But just like the J league and MLS it deserves respect and the chance to do whatever the fuck it wants.
I will never understand putting down leagues and cups. We do it here domestically to Carling cup or Scottish leagues and abroad every league is inferior be it la Liga serie a or MLS and now Saudi league.
It's weird. This great game as you put it is universal and everyone is allowed to play it wether they have played for centuries or just started this morning. The world is always changing.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
Why? Only England allowed to spend billions?
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
England didn’t buy its way to what it is. That’s the point you keep avoiding.
You're missing the point. Nobody created the English game from a blank canvass with franchises and a shit load of cash. The money is irrelevant. Nobody really cares what they spend, we're simply saying it's of no interest to us and that will remain the case, because it's just not very interesting.