Saudi Arabia is exploring new options in sports, and cricket has come back into the picture in a big way. There were talks last year about Saudi Arabia planning a Grand Slam-style T20 tournament, but that was just an idea. Now, the same plan has returned to the picture.
Talks around a Saudi-backed cricket league restarted after heavy spending on LIV Golf is not living up to expectations. Cricket caught the attention because the success of T20 leagues in India, Australia, the UAE, the USA, and South Africa has shown big money potential.
Saudi Arabia eyes Grand Slam League after LIV Golf struggles
As reported by The Times, fresh discussions are happening over the Cricket Grand Slam as Saudi Arabia looks for better business opportunities in sports after their golf venture turned out to be a disappointment. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will lead this project.
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The firm has already invested huge amounts of money in football, Formula 1, boxing, and golf. But the golf venture, where around $5 billion was invested, has not given the kind of results they expected. Given that, they are now shifting focus to sports that have a bigger fan base and are easier to grow, and cricket fits perfectly into that plan.
Saudi’s grand T20 dream returns with big plan
It is being said that the PIF has prepared a five-year plan to bring strong economic returns through sports. At the same time, there are signs that they may stop funding their golf league, especially after it became clear that it may not make profits for many years, opening the door for the cricket project.
The idea is to create a unique T20 tournament, possibly like a Grand Slam, where multiple short tournaments would be played at different venues and across the years, featuring the world’s top international stars. Matches would follow T20 format rules.
The proposed Grand Slam-style T20 tournament will be designed to fit around the existing cricket calendar instead of replacing any bilateral series. Their main focus will be on global broadcast and commercial demand.
Saudi Arabia to face big hurdles in launching Grand Slam League
However, there are some big challenges for Saudi Arabia to handle. The cricket calendar is already very busy with international matches and different T20 leagues, so finding space for a new tournament will not be easy. Additionally, players’ availability, ICC approval, and cricket boards’ interest are the other hurdles Saudi Arabia and PIF will face.
Another major issue is Indian players. If Saudi Arabia wants this league to become a huge success, they will need top Indian cricketers. But the BCCI does not allow its contracted players to play in foreign leagues outside the IPL. This could become a big roadblock.
If this plan goes ahead, players’ earnings will jump, commercialization of the game will also be massive, and there will be much more competition among leagues.
