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How big will the Saudi League be?


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Zaha127 Flag 06 Jun 23 10.42pm

They already have Cristiano and Benzema. Interested in Kante and Zaha now. It seems they will be able to target a lot of players now. No one will be able to compete with them salary wise. They have bigger pockets than China when players like Oscar (Chelsea) went.

How big can the league be within 5 years? I think they could become a top 5 league within 5 years easily due to finances. If EPL clubs cannot compete with them salary wise how can any other leagues?

They are already big in boxing where everyone wants to fight in Saudi Arabia due to the payday they will earn.

 
dreamwaverider Flag London 06 Jun 23 10.52pm

Originally posted by Zaha127

They already have Cristiano and Benzema. Interested in Kante and Zaha now. It seems they will be able to target a lot of players now. No one will be able to compete with them salary wise. They have bigger pockets than China when players like Oscar (Chelsea) went.

How big can the league be within 5 years? I think they could become a top 5 league within 5 years easily due to finances. If EPL clubs cannot compete with them salary wise how can any other leagues?

They are already big in boxing where everyone wants to fight in Saudi Arabia due to the payday they will earn.


Exactly.

It's why I keep saying Wilf should go there. Could be the start of something very big.

 
dreamwaverider Flag London 06 Jun 23 10.52pm

Originally posted by dreamwaverider


Exactly. And the Golf.

It's why I keep saying Wilf should go there. Could be the start of something very big.

 
YT Flag Oxford 07 Jun 23 5.54am

No chance. No-one will care who wins or loses Saudi Arabian football matches, just as no-one cares who wins (for example) MLS soccer matches or IPL cricket matches. The established leagues are built on decades of heritage, agony and ecstasy. You can't recreate that in 5 years or even 50 years, and particularly not based on a few mercenaries cashing in towards the end of their playing days.

 

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)
becky Flag over the moon 07 Jun 23 7.17am

Originally posted by Zaha127

They already have Cristiano and Benzema. Interested in Kante and Zaha now. It seems they will be able to target a lot of players now. No one will be able to compete with them salary wise. They have bigger pockets than China when players like Oscar (Chelsea) went.

How big can the league be within 5 years? I think they could become a top 5 league within 5 years easily due to finances. If EPL clubs cannot compete with them salary wise how can any other leagues?

They are already big in boxing where everyone wants to fight in Saudi Arabia due to the payday they will earn.

For boxing, they just go in, fight and leave, but for a footballer it would mean taking their whole family there on a permanent basis.

Whilst a lot of the players may wish to go for the money, probably a lot of their wives/partners won't let them because of the restrictions on lifestyle of living in a very strict muslim country (even though they have relaxed the rules a bit)

 

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers
Elpis Flag In a pub 07 Jun 23 7.19am

Its a retirement home for footballers who are past their best and can pick up a big pay cheque .

I think the Saudis have already realised that buying up European clubs is a bigger prophile than a micky mouse league in the sand .

 
joe_cpfc Flag Basingstoke 07 Jun 23 7.56am

Originally posted by YT

No chance. No-one will care who wins or loses Saudi Arabian football matches, just as no-one cares who wins (for example) MLS soccer matches or IPL cricket matches. The established leagues are built on decades of heritage, agony and ecstasy. You can't recreate that in 5 years or even 50 years, and particularly not based on a few mercenaries cashing in towards the end of their playing days.

Exactly this.

 
MrRobbo Flag Chaldon 08 Jun 23 10.41am

Originally posted by Zaha127

They already have Cristiano and Benzema. Interested in Kante and Zaha now. It seems they will be able to target a lot of players now. No one will be able to compete with them salary wise. They have bigger pockets than China when players like Oscar (Chelsea) went.

How big can the league be within 5 years? I think they could become a top 5 league within 5 years easily due to finances. If EPL clubs cannot compete with them salary wise how can any other leagues?

They are already big in boxing where everyone wants to fight in Saudi Arabia due to the payday they will earn.

Zero chance. It will be as big as the Chinese league = not very big.

Broadly players have only, and will only go at the end of their career. MLS for a nice life, Saudi for money.

 
ASCPFC Flag Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 08 Jun 23 1.16pm

Graveyard league

 

Red and Blue Army!
Teddy Eagle Flag 08 Jun 23 1.25pm

Originally posted by ASCPFC

Graveyard league

But as graveyards go...


[Link]

 
ASCPFC Flag Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 08 Jun 23 1.33pm

Originally posted by Teddy Eagle

But as graveyards go...


[Link]

I know, the money's astonishing. However, didn't that happen with the US and China? - yet now both have rolled back since what they got were lazy has been taking a retirement payday. Which would also be my take on this Saudi League. Funnily enough, I could go there and triple my money tax free. I wouldn't, it really wouldn't agree with me. If I were much younger I'd maybe be tempted. However, frankly I've always been a bit of a drinker - amongst many other vices.
As an aside, I know Zaha doesn't drink but I still wouldn't advise him to go there. That'd be pretty much the end.

 

Red and Blue Army!
Teddy Eagle Flag 08 Jun 23 1.42pm

Originally posted by ASCPFC

I know, the money's astonishing. However, didn't that happen with the US and China? - yet now both have rolled back since what they got were lazy has been taking a retirement payday. Which would also be my take on this Saudi League. Funnily enough, I could go there and triple my money tax free. I wouldn't, it really wouldn't agree with me. If I were much younger I'd maybe be tempted. However, frankly I've always been a bit of a drinker - amongst many other vices.
As an aside, I know Zaha doesn't drink but I still wouldn't advise him to go there. That'd be pretty much the end.

I like a drink too but the prospect of the best part of £10,000,000 a week would be enough for me. Just treat it like lockdown and have lots of holidays.

 
Palace Old Geezer Flag Midhurst 08 Jun 23 3.28pm

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

 

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.
Badger11 Flag Beckenham 08 Jun 23 3.33pm

Originally posted by Palace Old Geezer

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

But tomorrow is another day

 

One more point
ASCPFC Flag Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 08 Jun 23 3.47pm

Originally posted by Palace Old Geezer

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

What's that about a dam? Don't mention the war.

 

Red and Blue Army!
Palace Old Geezer Flag Midhurst 08 Jun 23 3.51pm

Originally posted by ASCPFC

What's that about a dam? Don't mention the war.

Sorry, now I've got my finger stuck.

 

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.
ASCPFC Flag Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 08 Jun 23 3.55pm

Originally posted by Palace Old Geezer

Sorry, now I've got my finger stuck.

Wasn't that a dike? Or Dyke if you're Dutch. Finger in the dyke.

 

Red and Blue Army!
Palace Old Geezer Flag Midhurst 08 Jun 23 5.21pm

Originally posted by ASCPFC

Wasn't that a dike? Or Dyke if you're Dutch. Finger in the dyke.

Frankly my dear, I don't give a dyke.

 

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.
ASCPFC Flag Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 09 Jun 23 12.14pm

Originally posted by Palace Old Geezer

Frankly my dear, I don't give a dyke.

Something tells me they aren't going to have an equivalent female league.

 

Red and Blue Army!
Forest Hillbilly Flag in a hidey-hole 09 Jun 23 2.08pm

If only the Saudi's had been interested earlier. We could have sold icons such as Benteke, Kuqi, Ruddock. etc

 

I disengage, I turn the page.
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