February 5 – The Saudi Pro League (SPL) is working to strengthen its connection with Brazilian football, with league officials in country to engage with local stakeholders.
On Tuesday, the SPL said that it had “kickstarted a strategic expansion drive into Brazil, cementing its commitment to strengthening ties with one of the world’s biggest and most passionate football markets” and SPL executives, including SPL CEO Omar Mugarbel, are engaging with representatives from the Brazilian League, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), and leading sports marketing agencies as well as existing and potential partners.
In Rio de Janeiro, they were met among others by Bruno Muzzi, the CEO of Atlético Mineiro and a delegation from Flamengo at the Maracana.
The SPL says the league has already reached 50 million views in 2023-24 with more than 100 matches streamed on YouTube in Brazil via Canal GOAT and local broadcaster Band.
The league said that it will launch official Brazilian social media channels to provide fans with localised content and introduce a local fan community to enhance its connection with Brazilian supporters.
Mohammed Basrawi, the SPL general manager of marketing, said: “Brazilians have a deep and passionate football culture, and we want to bring them closer to the excitement of the SPL by establishing a long-term and immersive presence in the country.”
Basrawi and the SPL want to showcase what the league has to offer beyond the big players.
There are currently 26 Brazilians playing in the SPL, the highest of any foreign nationality. Until last week, Neymar was Brazil’s biggest player in the SPL but Al Hilal and the player mutually agreed to end their contract after Neymar spent much of the past two years sidelined with injuries.
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