Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attended the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event during the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, on September 9, 2023.
Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is facing accusations of “sportswashing” in an effort to improve the country’s reputation, as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in international sports like golf and soccer.
During an interview with Fox News that aired on Wednesday night, the crown prince responded to the allegations, saying, “Well, if sportswashing can increase my GDP by 1%, I will continue to do it. I am aiming for another 1.5%, no matter what people call it.”
Critics have long claimed that Saudi Arabia is using sports investments to gain political influence and improve its tarnished reputation. This practice, known as sportswashing, has become a controversial issue.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in sports, including acquiring stakes in Saudi soccer clubs and signing top players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar for deals reportedly worth up to $175 million. The country has also attracted pro golfers like Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau to its rival LIV Golf with lucrative offers. Additionally, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed, has supported Saudi soccer clubs and LIV Golf. The PIF has a diverse portfolio of investments, worth over $700 billion.
The merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour has faced criticism, with opponents arguing that it is an attempt by Saudi Arabia to improve its image. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about national security, citing Saudi Arabia’s alleged ties to the 9/11 attacks. However, PGA Tour officials have defended the merger, stating that LIV Golf posed a significant threat to their organization before the deal.
Despite the controversy surrounding sportswashing and the LIV Golf merger, the motivations behind these actions go beyond business. According to Benjamin Freeman, director of the Democratizing Foreign Policy Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, this is an influence operation aimed at shaping public opinion and foreign policy.
It remains to be seen how the sportswashing allegations will impact Saudi Arabia’s international standing and its efforts to rehabilitate its image through sports investments.
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