The Mo Show "Saudi Arabia Has the Most Football Fans Per Capita in The World!" - Ben Harburg 159
Sep 16, 2025
In this conversation, Ben Harburg, an American investor and owner of Al-Kholood football club, shares his groundbreaking journey as the first non-Saudi to acquire a team in the Saudi league. He discusses his motivations behind choosing Al-Kholood and the surprising aspects of Saudi society he encountered. Ben envisions a thriving future for Saudi football, emphasizing fan engagement and local talent development, along with the significance of modern media strategies in transforming the football culture within the Kingdom.
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Global Upbringing Shaped His Approach
- Ben grew up moving around the world and chose immersion over tourist experiences from an early age.
- He says living in many countries taught him to adapt quickly and blend into new cultures.
Facing Skepticism For Buying In
- Many people thought his plan to buy a Saudi club was crazy because foreign ownership at that level was unprecedented.
- Ben explains he is the first non-government affiliated private owner at this tier in the region.
Twitter Sparked Real Fan Reforms
- Ben tweeted about paid fan groups and sparked a large constructive response that led to removing paid fans.
- Fans crowdsourced practical improvements and praised the change to the stadium experience.