Sports Asia

Aaron Ettinger , Associate Professor at Carleton University, examines how Saudi Arabia's diversification of its oil-based revenues and parallel sports diplomacy program serves Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman 's goals, extending beyond mere financial gain to positioning the kingdom as a pivotal geopolitical and economic player on the global stage. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with English Premier League club Newcastle United’s stadium, St James’ Park, in the background - Byline Times THERE'S A  SAYING in sports journalism: “ The answer to all your questions is money .” But in the case of Saudi Arabia’s massive sports investment programs during the reign of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, money is not the whole story. In a simple sense, there is a clear profit motive. With US$925 billion in assets in 2023, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund exists to convert oil revenues into even greater national income. Last year, the country’s Public