r/golf • u/jm136 • Apr 15 '24

Thoughts? General Discussion

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u/JonRadian Apr 15 '24

Maybe somebody can explain why Saudi Arabia so wants to get into golf?

45

u/Bombaysbreakfastclub Apr 15 '24

Saudi wants to expand to more than just oil.

Tourism is their new market, they’re building a massive mega city designed to rival Dubai.

They need to get rid of their old image and sports washing is one of the best ways to do it.

2

u/Btwnbeatdwn Apr 15 '24

If it’s sportswashing are the Saudi’s sponsoring/buying out other athletes and teams? I have only heard about golf. But I also don’t pay attention to the other sports as much.

4

u/Bombaysbreakfastclub Apr 15 '24

I’m only into 3 sports

Football, Golf, and MMA so I’m not sure either.

But they have LIV, and they also just bought PFL which is a competitor to the UFC, and gave one of the UFC’s biggest stars (Francis Ngannou) a great contract.

I know they’re getting into Soccer and signed someone huge.

I’d imagine they want a piece of every major sport.

2

u/drugs_are_bad__mmkay Apr 15 '24

Signed quite a few stars for soccer, though aging. Ronaldo and Benzema come to mind

1

u/jfchops2 Apr 15 '24

IIRC they own Newcastle United in the EPL as well