Saudi Pro League to be screened in UK this season as broadcaster finally buys rights to show Ronaldo, Henderson and Co
STREAMING giant DAZN have agreed a one-season deal to show the Saudi Pro League.
DAZN were initially thought to be out of the race as other companies pitched for the rights to show games, with the auction being handled by IMG.
SunSport reported that Sky Sports were mulling a bid ahead of Friday’s opening games of the Saudi season.
But DAZN, owned by Brit billionaire Len Blavatnik, has stolen a march to pick up the rights for the UK, Germany and Austria after a weekend twist saw negotiations accelerate.
It is understood the deal is not a huge one in cash terms but will give the Saudi Pro League exposure across two of Europe’s biggest TV markets.
Three games a week in the new Saudi elite division, with players including Karim Benzema and recently-transferred Premier League stars including Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante and Jordan Henderson, will now be available to UK subscribers.
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On top of that all Cristiano Ronaldo's matches for Al-Nassr, who have just signed Sadio Mane, will be shown.
The newly cash-rich league has turned the global transfer market on its head this summer.
Saudi clubs are already clocking up almost £400m of spending with more in the offing, following the bankrolling of the state’s four biggest clubs by the country’s Public Investment Fund.
DAZN believes the interest of British football fans is huge because of the ambition of the competition and the investment clubs have made.
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However, an exclusive SunSport poll revealed a majority of fans do not plan on watching the league.
There were 7,500 responders to our poll that asked: Will you watch the Saudi league next season?
And the results revealed 85 per cent of supporters don't plan to watch it next season.
Nine per cent of responders said they were interested, while a further six per cent said they were still unsure.
A 12-month subscription with DAZN costs £9.99 per month, while their "Annual Super Saver" deal will set you back £99.99 for the year.