How we did it

The dataset provides a comprehensive look into the scale and network of Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy by mapping the key individuals and entities driving its sports initiatives. It captures 1,412 positions across 207 Saudi entities and includes 910 Saudi sponsorships in sports worldwide.

The data collection took place between August and November 2024 and focused on current Saudi Arabian sports sponsorships and leadership positions for the year 2024 onwards.

The data collection was conducted by Play the Game researchers Nathalie Zahle, Lasse Kjær Nielsen, and Stanis Elsborg.

Positions

Our approach to data collection has been exploratory and investigative in nature. We have thoroughly researched the positions of Saudi Arabian ministers as well as the positions of key decision-makers in the Saudi Arabian Olympic federations, Saudi Pro League football clubs, and what we deemed to be central state-owned or state-run companies and initiatives.

We have focused on positions in the organisations’ decision-making bodies giving priority to roles at the presidential, board, and executive management levels whenever possible.

We also compiled a complete list of board positions within international Olympic sports federations and the Olympic Council of Asia held by Saudi Arabian nationals. Additionally, we cross-referenced our findings with a list of Saudi Arabian ambassadors, including only those diplomatic positions relevant to our project.

Sponsors and partnerships

In order to create a comprehensive overview of Saudi Arabian sponsors in the world of sports, we reviewed the official websites that belong to the Saudi Arabian entities we identified while mapping the positions of individuals.

In addition, we have identified 48 memorandums of understanding between the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and various football federations, as well as six partnerships with foreign football clubs. We found them by reviewing SAFF's website.

We used Google searches, social media, and news articles to supplement our findings.

Reflections

While the dataset is extensive, it may not cover all significant positions and sponsorships, and there might be some that we have overlooked.

Moreover, the dataset is limited to relational networks between individuals within Saudi entities, whilst other roles they may hold in international organisations were outside our scope. However, in project articles based on the dataset, we have included such details when pertinent.