Informed sources told Okaz newspaper of rapid developments in the Saudi sports scene, with prominent businessman and honorary member Prince Alwaleed bin Talal very close to finalizing a historic deal to acquire a 75% stake in Al-Hilal Saudi Club. Initial reports indicate that the value of the anticipated deal exceeds one billion Saudi riyals, a move reflecting the significant transformation underway in Saudi sports.
All the details related to this huge deal are expected to be finalized during the upcoming meetings that will bring together the parties involved in the privatization file, after reaching final understandings on the percentage offered and the exact financial compensation, which paves the way for an official announcement that may change the sports investment landscape in the region.
Privatization project and Vision 2030
This strategic step comes as an extension of the investment and privatization project for sports clubs launched by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on June 5, 2023. This ambitious project, which represents one of the pillars of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aims to build an effective and economical sports sector by stimulating the private sector and enabling it to contribute effectively to the development of national sports.
The project aims to achieve significant advancements across various sports in the Kingdom by 2030, and to cultivate a distinguished generation of athletes at both the regional and global levels. It also focuses particularly on developing football and its competitions, with the goal of elevating the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League) to the ranks of the top 10 leagues in the world.
A historic relationship and ongoing support
The association of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal with Al-Hilal Club is not a recent development, but rather the culmination of a long-standing relationship spanning decades. Prince Alwaleed is known as one of the most prominent supporters of Al-Hilal, having held the title of "Golden Member" and consistently provided substantial financial rewards to the players and management upon winning local and continental championships. Most recently, he generously supported the club after its runner-up finish in the FIFA Club World Cup. This acquisition is seen as a transition from honorary support to direct ownership and investment management.
Expected economic impact
Economically, the privatization project aims to increase the market value of the Saudi Professional League from 3 billion riyals to over 8 billion riyals, and boost the league's revenues from 450 million riyals to over 1.8 billion riyals annually. The involvement of an investor of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's stature will strengthen Al Hilal's financial position, providing it with administrative and financial stability that will help attract more international stars and develop the club's infrastructure.
Ascending allocation path
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Sports, in cooperation with the National Center for Privatization, continues to work steadily in this direction. Last July, it announced the privatization of the first three sports clubs (Al-Ansar, Al-Kholoud, and Al-Zulfi), transferring their ownership to investment entities. Furthermore, in August 2024, it was announced that six more clubs, including Al-Orouba, Al-Nahda, and Al-Akhdoud, would be offered for privatization, confirming the government's commitment to transforming sports clubs into profitable and sustainable commercial enterprises.
