Investing in golf after football: How Mohammed bin Salman is making Saudi Arabia a new sports hub

Mohammed bin Salman Investing in golf after football

Earlier, the news of the world's most famous footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, joining the Saudi Arabian team had not yet faded, and the French striker and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema had recently joined the Al-Ittihad Football Club. The news has been confirmed

The news of the merger of three of golf's biggest tournaments yesterday sent shockwaves through the sports world.

This has seen the PGA and DP World Tour announce a merger with LIV Golf, which has sparked outrage among professional golfers as LIV Golf is a Saudi-backed organization and is an alleged threat to the current system of the game.

Earlier, the news of the world's most famous footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, joining the Saudi Arabian team had not yet faded, and the French striker and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema had recently joined the Al-Ittihad Football Club. The news has been confirmed.

In such a situation, the question is being asked whether Saudi Arabia is becoming the new center of world sports? But critics are calling it a Saudi sports wash.

Barstool Support's Dan Rappaport told BBC Radio 5 Live that he had spoken to a number of players shortly after the deal was announced with rival sports circles.

"Their initial reaction was one of shock, which then turned into anger," he said.

"There are a lot of players who turned down a lot of money and now they're wondering what kind of deal has it turned out to be?"

Jamie Corrigan, the Telegraph newspaper's golf correspondent, added that the deal had been done in 'incredible secrecy'.

He said that this is a big mess and they are presenting it as if they have established peace among different groups. But they still have a long way to go.

He added, "Forget about sports promotion and support wash, it has become a game of money and power."