Economist Podcasts In the big leagues now: Saudi Arabia’s push into sport
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Aug 11, 2023 
Miranda Mitra, International editor at The Economist, and Ana Lankes, Latin America correspondent, unpack Saudi Arabia's bold investments in global sports aimed at modernizing its image. They discuss how this surge in sports investments intersects with serious human rights criticisms. Shifting gears, Ana highlights Brazil's economic recovery under Lula's reforms, signaling renewed investor confidence. The conversation also touches on the evolution of drone warfare in Ukraine, showcasing how FPV drones are reshaping combat strategies.
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Ronaldo Joins Al Nasser
- Cristiano Ronaldo, a football megastar, joined Saudi club Al Nasser for a massive $200 million.
- Ronaldo stated his European career was complete and he sought new challenges.
Saudi Sportswashing?
- Saudi Arabia is investing billions in sports as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy.
- Critics argue this is "sportswashing" to distract from human rights issues.
Risks of Saudi Investment
- Saudi Arabia's sports investment plan carries two main risks: failing business models and potential backlash.
- Paying huge sums to athletes may not be sustainable, and the domestic audience is small.