January 24 – 20-time Serie A champions, Football Club Internazionale Milano, better known as Inter Milan, have just signed their first partnership with Saudi Arabian technology company Zain KSA, who will become an Official Regional Partner.
The aim of Zain KSA is to deliver innovative digital experiences that cater to sports fans in Saudi Arabia and advance the Inter Milan brand to a region that is thirsty for top-level European clubs.
The partnership also underscores Inter’s desire to become a presence in the Middle East. In 2024 the club secured a much sought after license from the Ministry of Investment (MISA) that allows the club to undertake and manage commercial activities in Saudi Arabia.
“We are very happy to announce our first regional partnership in Saudi Arabia, a key market for developing the Inter brand and one that has shown growing enthusiasm for Inter,” said Inter Milan CEO Corporate Alessandro Antonello.
“Besides being our first partnership in the Saudi Arabia market, this collaboration with Zain KSA also enables us to join forces with a brand that, like Inter, views innovation and care for their community as two fundamental pillars of their growth strategy.”
With the license and partnership now in place, Nerazzurri fans will be able to use Zain KSA’s cutting-edge 5G experience with personalised home packages and special-edition Inter-themed routers.
The partnership – the first of its kind for Zain KSA in the Kingdom and in the region – is the latest in a series of innovative initiatives planned by the company to improve people’s quality of life and enrich their daily experiences.
Zain KSA’s Chief Sales Officer, Eng. Maher Al-Fawaz, said: “This partnership with FC Internazionale Milano aims to promote a culture of sports in the Kingdom in line with our goals to promote a dynamic, connected and vibrant society. This innovative collaboration meets the growing aspirations of football fans in the Kingdom, attracts international clubs to have activities in Saudi Arabia and reflects our commitment to contribute to the empowerment of the sports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.”
Inter have had some well-documented financial issues of late and it was just a few years ago that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) was looking to buy the club for $1 billion, however, that deal didn’t materialise and PIF went on to purchase Newcastle United.
In May of 2024, the club was eventually purchased by the American Asset Company, Oaktree Capital Management, and with qualification to the knockout round of this year’s UEFA Champions League, the Americans are looking at different options to leverage the brand of a club that is widely considered European football royalty.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1737717806labto1737717806ofdlr1737717806owedi1737717806sni@o1737717806fni1737717806