Steven Gerrard

Quicksilvera

Quicksilvera

Well-known member
In theory the Saudis could double the wages of every major player (and manager) in the Europe and set up their own ultra league with just the worlds top players, then sell the TV 'product' around the world

Just sayin'
 
Although the money is better than 'great', I would have thought most players would want to play in front of a lot of fans and an atmosphere. Even the MLS has pretty decent crowds. I can sort of see why Messi chose them over the Saudis.
 
It’s funny how during apartheid bands and cricketers were heavily criticised for going to take South African cash (at a time when few cricketers were not especially well paid), but where Saudi is concerned lots of folk seem to “understand” why they are doing it. As if Steven Gerrard needs to “set himself up for life” (again).
 
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atypical_boro said:
It’s funny how during apartheid bands and cricketers were heavily criticised for going to take South African cash (at a time when few cricketers were especially well paid), but where Saudi is concerned lots of folk seem to “understand” why they are doing it. As if Steven Gerrard needs to “set himself up for life” (again).
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Good point.

This is just the Chinese League buying Demba Ba and Oscar all over again isn’t it? Unsustainable cash frenzy in a low standard minor league which no-one cares about, which some veteran players will half heartedly take part in and will pass in a few years. Apart from the obvious sportswashing and power projection I don’t quite understand what the Saudis hope to gain from it though? There’s no way the Middle East is getting another World Cup any time soon, Qatar was six months ago.

Presumably they all commute in from Dubai but I can’t imagine a worse place on earth for a young footballer to live than Saudi. Grim climate, everything that footballers like including women is very illegal, heavy oppression and religious fanaticism. I suppose you can drive your supercar quite fast.
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
Good point.

This is just the Chinese League buying Demba Ba and Oscar all over again isn’t it? Unsustainable cash frenzy in a low standard minor league which no-one cares about, which some veteran players will half heartedly take part in and will pass in a few years. Apart from the obvious sportswashing and power projection I don’t quite understand what the Saudis hope to gain from it though? There’s no way the Middle East is getting another World Cup any time soon, Qatar was six months ago.

Presumably they all commute in from Dubai but I can’t imagine a worse place on earth for a young footballer to live than Saudi. Grim climate, everything that footballers like including women is very illegal, heavy oppression and religious fanaticism. I suppose you can drive your supercar quite fast.
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The difference is China couldn't sustain it. It's a different story in Saudi, they can afford to own all of the major sports if they wanted to. Much like tourism, they're putting their wealth into guaranteeing their future.
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
Good point.

This is just the Chinese League buying Demba Ba and Oscar all over again isn’t it? Unsustainable cash frenzy in a low standard minor league which no-one cares about, which some veteran players will half heartedly take part in and will pass in a few years. Apart from the obvious sportswashing and power projection I don’t quite understand what the Saudis hope to gain from it though? There’s no way the Middle East is getting another World Cup any time soon, Qatar was six months ago.

Presumably they all commute in from Dubai but I can’t imagine a worse place on earth for a young footballer to live than Saudi. Grim climate, everything that footballers like including women is very illegal, heavy oppression and religious fanaticism. I suppose you can drive your supercar quite fast.
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As you say they probably helicopter in from Dubai. I know Gerrard has holidayed in Dubai regularly for years.
 
Loop said:
The difference is China couldn't sustain it. It's a different story in Saudi, they can afford to own all of the major sports if they wanted to. Much like tourism, they're putting their wealth into guaranteeing their future.
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Is a turd still a turd though, even if it has a really expensive tourist advert and Cristiano Ronaldo is an ambassador for it?

I get the idea of soft power and not to slag Saudi too much, obviously it has a rich and ancient cultural history. But there’s so many things that are fundamentally incompatible with it ever being an attractive destination for western tourists. Much more so than even Dubai, because it’s so religiously / culturally strict and that ain’t changing.

You can build all the shopping malls you want but it’s still 40 degrees, is mainly sand, and women have been legally allowed to drive, apply for passports, go out in public without a male escort and enter restaurants by the same entrance as men for a grand total of five years.
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
Is a turd still a turd though, even if it has a really expensive tourist advert and Cristiano Ronaldo is an ambassador for it?

I get the idea of soft power and not to slag Saudi too much, obviously it has a rich and ancient cultural history. But there’s so many things that are fundamentally incompatible with it ever being an attractive destination for western tourists. Much more so than even Dubai, because it’s so religiously / culturally strict and that ain’t changing.

You can build all the shopping malls you want but it’s still 40 degrees, is mainly sand, and women have been legally allowed to drive, apply for passports, go out in public without a male escort and enter restaurants by the same entrance as men for a grand total of five years.
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I thought you were talking about Steven Gerrard!!
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
Is a turd still a turd though, even if it has a really expensive tourist advert and Cristiano Ronaldo is an ambassador for it?

I get the idea of soft power and not to slag Saudi too much, obviously it has a rich and ancient cultural history. But there’s so many things that are fundamentally incompatible with it ever being an attractive destination for western tourists. Much more so than even Dubai, because it’s so religiously / culturally strict and that ain’t changing.

You can build all the shopping malls you want but it’s still 40 degrees, is mainly sand, and women have been legally allowed to drive, apply for passports, go out in public without a male escort and enter restaurants by the same entrance as men for a grand total of five years.
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And they’re still allowed to sell off their 10 year old daughters for marriage, who are expected to fulfil all marital “duties”. It’s phucking backwards and I can only hope and pray we never have their leadership’s money polluting our club.
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
Is a turd still a turd though, even if it has a really expensive tourist advert and Cristiano Ronaldo is an ambassador for it?

I get the idea of soft power and not to slag Saudi too much, obviously it has a rich and ancient cultural history. But there’s so many things that are fundamentally incompatible with it ever being an attractive destination for western tourists. Much more so than even Dubai, because it’s so religiously / culturally strict and that ain’t changing.

You can build all the shopping malls you want but it’s still 40 degrees, is mainly sand, and women have been legally allowed to drive, apply for passports, go out in public without a male escort and enter restaurants by the same entrance as men for a grand total of five years.
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So I agree in some aspects in that I can't see sports moving over there as such, but like with the LIV golf situation. We could see something similar happen with the PL quite easily. They already own some of the big clubs and looking to buy more. Sports has always been about the biggest bidder & they certainly are that.
 
BobUpnDown said:
Few, would buy it..
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In this country, perhaps. Across Asia (and the bigger market) they may do ok if it's a package and part of the rest of the sports they'll buy. Golf, cricket and motor racing have already shown they're open to oil money and the affect on their organisation's decision making it will bring.
 
atypical_boro said:
As you say they probably helicopter in from Dubai. I know Gerrard has holidayed in Dubai regularly for years.
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I can't think of a worse place I'd like to visit.

But chuck a load of money at young footballers and they'd go anywhere - in fact Dubai would probably be top of the list :rolleyes:
 
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