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☆ Saudi Arabia’s Lavish Sports Push Earns It the 2034 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Less than a decade after Saudi Arabia decided to make a push into global sports, the Kingdom is set to claim the prize it covets most: the soccer World Cup. The country learned on Tuesday that it was the only bidder left standing to host the 2034 edition of the tournament, after Australia formally withdrew from the process earlier in the day. Once the decision is formally ratified, likely without a vote or debate next fall at a meeting of the FIFA Congress, Saudi Arabia will reach the pinnacle of a multibillion-dollar process that is reshaping the world’s most popular sport and using it to remake the Kingdom’s image.

Organizations: Australia, FIFA Congress Locations: Saudi Arabia, Kingdom

GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia is all but certain to host the men's 2034 World Cup after the Australian soccer federation declined to enter the bidding contest. “We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and — having taken all factors into consideration — we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia said in a statement. Indonesia’s football association initially showed interest in a joint bid with Australia, potentially alongside Malaysia and Singapore, but that faded when Indonesia instead backed Saudi Arabia. Australia and New Zealand successfully co-hosted the Women's World Cup in July and August. Saudi Arabia also will host the men's Asian Cup in 2027 and has started a widespread construction program to build and renovate stadiums that likely also will be used for the World Cup.

Persons: “, LIV, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Gianni Infantino, Australia —, Minky Worden, ” Worden, ___ Organizations: GENEVA, FIFA, ” Football Australia, Newcastle, Saudi Crown, South America — FIFA, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Qatar, soccer, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi, Rights Locations: Saudi Arabia, Australian, Saudi, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, South, Asia, Oceania, Australia, Qatar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New, Brisbane, Queensland

☆ A doping free-for-all Enhanced Games calls itself the answer to doping in sports. Opponents say it poses a danger to health
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Molly Stazicker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

The Enhanced Games is the brainchild of businessman Aron D’Souza. Aron D'Souza is the founder of the Enhanced Games. But that isn’t the only potential legal jeopardy the Enhanced Games faces, according to American lawyer Jim Walden, who represents Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov. “If you look at the Enhanced Games website, it’s almost as though they’re advertising their disregard of the law,” Walden told CNN Sport. If it goes ahead as planned in December 2024, D’Souza insists that the Enhanced Games will unlock the potential of humanity.

Persons: Dr, Grigory Rodchenkov, –, Rodchenkov, Oscar, Aron D’Souza, ”, D’Souza, “, Raphael Faiss, Faiss, WADA, they’re, Aron D'Souza, ” WADA, Travis Tygart, Jim Walden, ” Walden, Alex Wong, ” Rodchenkov, USADA’s Tygart, ” D’Souza, he’d, “ They’re, Ben Johnson, Johnson, Mike Powell, Pierre de Coubertin –, Ben Johnson –, Eugene, Simona Halep, – Faiss, CNN Roxadustat, Michele Verroken, ” Verroken, Verroken, Hamish Coffey, ’, Brett Fraser, ” Fraser, “ I’ve, I’ll, Jess Ennis, Hill, CNN D’Souza, Trevor Painter, ” Painter, John William Devine, ” Devine, don’t, Martial Saugy Organizations: CNN, Olympics, ”, Testing Agency, ITA, International Olympic Committee, Olympic Games, IOC, CNN Sport, Netflix, Doping Agency, Research, University of Lausanne, United, United States Anti, US Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Sports, Gaming Initiative, “, Games, Seoul, London Games, Bettmann, Athletics Integrity Unit, National Institutes of Health, Sporting Integrity, Australian Olympic, Olympic, United States Patent, Sciences, Swansea University Locations: Paris, United States, Seoul, South Korea, Eugene , Oregon, Cayman Islands, Tokyo, Wales

☆ The NBA is shooting for a new media rights deal worth up to $60 billion, nearly triple its previous pact, that will pay teams and players millions more
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( James Faris | Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Media analysts widely expect the league to select at least three distributors for its next media rights deal after the current setup expires in 2025. Comcast's NBCUniversal could be a frontrunner for a spot in the NBA's new media deal alongside Amazon, Nispel said. NBA players could be poised to earn sky-high paydaysThe NBA's last media deal — the $24 billion contract it struck in 2014 — was nearly triple the value of its previous pact. The pressure is now on the NBA to deliver a media deal that satisfies teams, athletes, and fans. Still, Macquarie media analyst Tim Nollen is optimistic about the size of the NBA's next media rights deal.

Persons: Jessica Reif Ehrlich, disruptors, Brandon Nispel, Nispel, —, Shirin Malkani, who's, Perkins, Leron Rogers, that's, Mark Patricof, Tim Nollen, Nollen, Reif Ehrlich, Ehrlich Organizations: NBA, Media, ESPN, Warner Bros, TNT, Disney, Apple, NBC, Comcast, Wall Street, Bank of America, NFL, MLB, NHL, KeyBanc Capital, Amazon, Flagship, ABC, Prime, Industry, Patricof, Macquarie, Diamond Sports

☆ Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor is considering the sale of some of its assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Endeavor Group Holdings, led by the high-power agent to the stars, Ari Emanuel, said that it is considering a sale of some of its assets. Earlier this year, Endeavor, which owns mixed martial arts company UFC, merged with World Wrestling Entertainment to create TKO Holdings. Shares of TKO Holdings, which is a separate publicly traded company apart from Endeavor, climbed nearly 2% in after-hours trading Wednesday. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the assets Endeavor is considering selling as well as IMG's function. Endeavor is considering strategic options for its companies but did not identify any particular asset for sale.

Persons: Ari Emanuel, ” “, ”, Ariel Emanuel, Endeavor’s, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Matt Damon, Emanuel, Francois, Henri Pinault Organizations: New, New York CNN — Endeavor Group Holdings, Wednesday, Endeavor, Company, IMG, Holdings, UFC, World Wrestling Entertainment, CAA Locations: New York

About five teams around Europe including Ineos Grenadiers are involved in the early-stage talks and more could join, the people said. Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard’s Jumbo-Visma team is also involved in the talks, one of them said. Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) controls the Tour de France and La Vuelta while the Giro d'Italia is controlled by RCS Sports. This is not the first time cycling teams have explored a new cycling league project. Eight teams founded a league project called World Series Cycling (WSC) at the end of 2012 but the plans failed to materialise.

Persons: Jonas Vingegaard’s Jumbo, Spokespeople, EY, Amy, Jo Crowley, Anousha Sakoui, Julien Pretot, Andres Gonzalez, Elisa Martinuzzi, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Reuters, Ineos Grenadiers, de France, Partners, Formula, Tour de France, La Vuelta, Amaury Sports Organisation, La, RCS Sports, Thomson Locations: Europe

☆ World Cup expands to 24 teams amid radical new calendar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 2027 World Cup in Australia will expand from the current 20 to 24 teams, split into six first-round groups containing four sides each. LATER DRAWWR said the draw for the next World Cup would be made in January 2026, the latest it has ever been held before a tournament. WR said they had addressed this by the introduction of a Nations League competition, with two 12-team divisions. There will be a second division with a further 12 teams, which will be run by World Rugby. There will also be a new, annual expanded Pacific Nations Cup competition in 2024 featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

Persons: ”, Sir Bill Beaumont, Beaumont, WR, Mitch Phillips, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Biennial Nations League, Rugby, Nations League, Six Nations, Rugby Championship, World Rugby, WR, Nations, Thomson Locations: PARIS, Paris, Australia, France, Japan, Fiji, Canada, Samoa, Tonga, United States

☆ IOC members call on Bach to stay on past 2025
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach gestures as he speaks during a news conference, ahead of the 141st IOC Session, in Mumbai, India, October 13, 2023. Elected in 2013, Bach is due to step down in 2025 in line with current Olympic Charter rules, following a first eight-year term and a second four-year one. Sunday's open declaration by IOC members followed speculation in recent months that Bach could potentially continue as president of the one of the most powerful bodies in global sports. Several other members also called on Bach to stay on and asked for a Charter change. Being a core author of this Olympic Charter drives me to be more loyal to this Olympic Charter," Bach said.

Persons: Thomas Bach, Niharika Kulkarni, Bach, Sunday's, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Luis Mejia Oviedo, Mark Adams, Adams, Karolos Grohmann, Clarence Fernandez, Hugh Lawson, Christian Organizations: Olympic Committee, 141st IOC, REUTERS, Rights, IOC, Olympic, Olympics Games, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Rights MUMBAI, German, Paris, Sochi, Tokyo, Ukraine

☆ For U.S. investors seeking an edge in European soccer, the cheaper the better
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This comes as deep-pocketed investors — from top U.S. private equity and venture capital firms to global rivals like sovereign wealth funds — have intensified competition. Meanwhile, more than one-third of the clubs in the so-called "Big Five" leagues in Europe are backed by U.S. investors, including private equity and venture capital firms. "These recent transactions have set a precedent in terms of club valuation but also prompted many owners to consider selling to [private equity]," according to an analyst report from PitchBook. Some firms, like Sixth Street Partners, have found different outlets into taking a stake in European soccer, particularly in Spain's LaLiga. The shift is happening as soccer clubs have been looking for fresh capital following the distress stemming from the earlier days of the Covid pandemic.

Persons: Liverpool's Curtis Jones, Charles Baker, PitchBook, Todd Boehly, English Premier League's, Elliott Management's, Lionel Messi Organizations: Premier League, King Power, U.S, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Newcastle, Clearlake Capital, English Premier, English Premier League's Chelsea, Redbird Capital Partners, Italy's AC Milan, Sixth Street Partners, FC Barcelona, Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool FC, Dynasty Equity, English Premier League, Sheffield United Locations: Leicester, European, U.S, Europe, PitchBook, LaLiga, Spanish, Real Madrid's

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Meta, Rivian, Nvidia, Amazon, U.S. Steel, FedEx & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Monday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Goldman Sachs adds Nvidia to the conviction buy list Goldman said the stock is well positioned to benefit for AI. UBS initiates Sunnova as buy UBS said the solar company is best positioned to take share. Morgan Stanley upgrades U.S. Steel to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said in its upgrade of the steel stock that the transformation continues. UBS reiterates Amazon as buy UBS raised its price target on Amazon to $180 per share from $175 and says it's bullish on ads in Prime video content. Morgan Stanley reiterates TJX Companies as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's sticking with its overweight rating after a meeting with company management.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, bullish, Evercore, RIVN, Gordon Haskett, Piper Sandler, Piper, Jefferies, Truist, Wells, ROY, SolarEdge, Morgan Stanley, Davidson, CLX, it's Organizations: Nvidia, UFC, WWE, UBS, NOVA, Susquehanna, FedEx, Meta Connect, Microsoft, Barclays, JPMorgan, Apple, Steel, Bank of America, NSC, Amazon, TJX Companies Locations: PODD, GLP, 3Q23, 2Q23, 1Q23, 4Q23, Europe, Bank of America downgrades Norfolk Southern

☆ Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into soccer, golf, and Formula 1. Its crown prince doesn't care if anyone calls it 'sportswashing.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into sports in a bid to transform its economy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made the sector a key part of his Vision 2030 plan. But the reality is that the crown prince has a grander ambition: to level up Saudi Arabia's economic growth. "But Saudi Arabia is piling into other sports too, because they want to achieve a lot in a short period of time." AdvertisementAdvertisementAs Crown Prince Mohammed made clear last week, all this forms part of a broader strategy to supercharge Saudi Arabia's economy through investment.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, bankrolled, —, Cristiano Ronaldo, Phil Mickelson, Anthony Joshua, –, Jamal Khashoggi, they've, Steve Luciano, AP Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio, PIF, LIV Golf, Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, LIV, Joshua, that's, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Frank Warren, Prince Mohammed, Mohammed bin Salman, Leon Neal, Simon Chadwick, Chadwick, megastars, Ronaldo –, Salman, bin Salman, Saudi Arabia –, St Andrews, Nick Kyrgios, who've, Elsa, he'd, they'll Organizations: Newcastle United, Service, Washington Post, Saudi, Investment Fund, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle, AP, Saudi Pro League, Georgetown University Qatar, PGA, WWE, Fox News, SKEMA Business School, Indian Premier League, FIFA Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, England, Riyadh, Brazil, Liverpool, Kingdom, Jeddah, Lille, France, Reiche, Iran, Miami, Augusta, bankroll

☆ Saudi Arabia announces crucial step forward in its nascent nuclear power plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The announcement put the spotlight on the kingdom's nascent nuclear energy efforts — Saudi Arabia has a small nuclear reactor, a research unit set up with the help of Argentina, that it has not yet put into operation. The Saudi energy minister did not comment on whether his country would also join the IAEA's Additional Protocol, which requires more thorough oversight including snap inspections. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a recent wide-ranging interview with Fox News that if Iran developed nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia would too. U.S. assistance with a nuclear energy program is one of Saudi Arabia's key demands — but not everyone is happy about that. The multilateral Obama-era deal had allowed the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs to its nuclear program.

Persons: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Al, Mandel Ngan, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Rafael Grossi, Thomas Kronsteiner, Grossi, Saud, Prince Abdulaziz's, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed bin Salman's, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Joe Biden, Narendra Modi, Evelyn Hockstein, Yair Lapid, Donald Trump, ATTA KENARE Organizations: Saudi, Crown, AFP, Getty Images, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Saudi Energy, Governors, CSA, United, Fox News, CBS, West, Saudi Arabian Crown, Indian, Biden, Obama, Iranian, Getty Locations: Royal, Saudi, Jeddah, Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Vienna, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, China, New Delhi, India, Riyadh, Washington, Israel, Tehran, Bushehr

☆ US figure skater Zhou slams anti-doping system's failures ahead of Valieva hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Whenever finally held, the awards ceremony for the Beijing 2022 Figure Skating Team Event will be a symbol of the gross failures of the IOC, CAS, RUSADA (Russian Anti-Doping Agency), and other global sporting administrators. While Valieva's hearing involving RUSADA, the ISU and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) begins on Tuesday, CAS have said they cannot be sure when the final decision will be announced. Zhou added that the U.S. team had asked to observe the hearing, but were told that it was confidential. "We were told that either of the involved parties could request a public hearing, but that neither did. "An open and transparent hearing would go a long way towards helping athletes understand any decision that is rendered."

Persons: Vincent Zhou, Zhou, Evan Bates, Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Madison Chock, Zachary Donohue, Brandon Frazier, Madison Hubbell, Alexa Knierim, RUSADA, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Sport, Russian, Beijing Olympics, Skating Union, ISU, U.S, Canada, Beijing Games, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Doping Agency, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Beijing, Japan, Bengaluru

☆ China's Wang claims maiden WTA title in Guangzhou
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 22-year-old Wang's victory marked the fourth time that a Chinese player has been crowned champion in Guangzhou, following Wang Qiang (2018), Zhang Shuai (2013, 2017) and Li Na (2004). "It was very exciting and it's a very emotional moment because in this tournament, every player is really tough," Wang said. "I wanted a title from the first day, even when I started tennis. China last hosted a WTA tournament in 2019, before the COVID crisis wreaked havoc on the global sports schedule. The WTA was widely praised for suspending tournaments in China but reversed its decision in April.

Persons: Wang Xiyu, Russia's Mirra Andreeva, Toby Melville, Magda Linette, Wang Qiang, Zhang Shuai, Li Na, Wang, I'm, Zhu Lin, Hua Hin, Zheng Qinwen, Peng Shuai, Peng, Shrivathsa Sridhar Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, WTA, Guangzhou, women's, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Guangzhou, Palermo, China, Bengaluru

New York's 22-16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills was the most-watched Monday night game since ESPN took over the package in 2006. The Jets have five more prime-time appearances scheduled, but two can be subbed out due to the league's flexible schedule rules. Those are the Nov. 12 "Sunday Night Football” game at Las Vegas on NBC and the Dec. 28 “Thursday Night Football” game at Cleveland on Amazon Prime Video. NBC can't begin to flex Sunday night games until Week 5, meaning the Jets' Oct. 1 game against Kansas City will not be moved. The “Monday Night Football” flex option begins in Week 12, three weeks after the Jets host the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 6.

Persons: Aaron Rodgers, Rodgers ’, Rodgers, Brett Favre’s, Russell Wilson’s, Zach Wilson, “ We’ve, ”, Hans Schroeder, “, Brock Purdy, Tom, Brady, Drew, Bledsoe, Video's, Marie Donoghue, Weeks, ” Schroeder, ___ Organizations: New York Jets, Jets, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, New, Buffalo Bills, Lambeau, Minnesota, Russell Wilson’s Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, NBC, Cleveland, Amazon Prime, NFL Media, Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami, Dallas, CBS Locations: Green, New England, New York

If you want to keep up, we'll show you where to watch Gauff vs. Sabalenka in the women's US Open final live stream for free. At 19, she is the youngest American to reach the US Open final since Serena Williams did it in 1999. Where to watch Gauff vs. Sabalenka US Open live streams free from anywhereYou can watch the US Open women's final tennis matches using one of the free live streams available. Deal Sling TV Subscription Sling is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services you can sign up for. We're also updating our guide on getting a free US Open tennis live stream as the tournament progresses.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Sabalenka, Gauff, Serena Williams, there's, We've, ExpressVPN Organizations: Muchova, New Zealand, TVNZ, ESPN, USA ESPN, ESPN Plus, ESPN Deportes, Subscription, Tennis Locations: USA, America, American, Australia, New, 9Now, New Zealand

The courts are set, and we'll show you how to watch Djokovic vs. Shelton and then Alcaraz vs. Medvedev live streams in the US Open men's semifinal showdowns. How to watch Djokovic vs. Shelton & Alcaraz vs. Medvedev US Open tennis live streams free from anywhereYou can watch the US Open men's semifinal tennis matches using one of the free live streams available. Both will show Alcaraz vs. Medvedev and Djokovic vs. Shelton. Sign in and watch Djokovic vs. Shelton and Alcaraz vs. Medvedev. US Open Tennis broadcast scheduleBelow is a schedule of all the 2023 US Open tennis broadcasts through September 10.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev —, Ben Shelton, Djokovic, Shelton, Medvedev, there's, We've, ExpressVPN Organizations: Alcaraz, Medvedev, New Zealand, TVNZ, ESPN, USA ESPN, ESPN Plus, ESPN Deportes, Subscription, Tennis Locations: Australia, New, 9Now, New Zealand

Learn moreThe 2023 US Open tennis tournament continues tonight with two semifinal matches to determine the Women's Singles bracket championship contenders. If you're hungering for masterful tennis play from the player atop the heap, you'll want to know where to watch free live streams for both Gauff vs. Muchova and Keys vs. Sabalenka. How to watch Gauff vs. Muchova & Keys vs. Sabalenka US Open Tennis live streams free from anywhereYou can watch the US Open women's semifinal tennis matches using one of the free live streams available. US Open Tennis broadcast scheduleBelow is a schedule of all the 2023 US Open tennis broadcasts through September 10. We'll keep updating our overall guide on how to get a free US Open tennis live stream as the tournament progresses too.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Karolina Muchova, Madison Keys, there's, We've, Muchova, ExpressVPN, CEST, AEST Organizations: United, Aryna, Free FIBA, New Zealand, TVNZ, ESPN, USA ESPN, ESPN Plus, ESPN Deportes, Subscription, Tennis Locations: United States, Czech Republic, Belarus, Australia, New, 9Now, New Zealand

☆ Latest Messi tribute in Argentina recycles the joy from icon's big win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Juan Bustamante | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GRAND BOURG, Argentina, Sept 5 (Reuters) - High school students in Argentina pieced together a massive mural of soccer superstar Lionel Messi out of thousands of recycled plastic bottle caps, with a video of the work of art shared widely online. But love for Messi seems to loom even larger. The new mural fills the floor of an open-air high school courtyard in the Grand Bourg neighbourhood, just outside the capital Buenos Aires. Sebastian Ramirez, a teacher at the school, posted a video clip on social media that went viral summing up a widely-held assessment of Messi's legacy. Video of the mural's making showed dozens of children hunched over a colour-coded design and boxes of bottle caps scattered around.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Sebastian Ramirez, Javier Milei, Pope Francis, Juan Bustamente, David Alire Garcia, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Thomson Locations: BOURG, Argentina, Argentine, Grand Bourg, Buenos Aires, Qatar, American

☆ Andrés Iniesta: Soccer legend on Lionel Messi and his own new adventure in the UAE
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Ben Church | Becky Anderson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —In his prime, Andrés Iniesta was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in history. After leaving Spain, Iniesta signed for Japanese club Vissel Kobe and enjoyed reasonable success in following five years. Mohamed Farag/Getty ImagesAmid interest from around the world, including Major League Soccer (MLS), Iniesta eventually signed a one-year deal with UAE side Emirates Club. There were reports earlier this year that Iniesta may team up with Lionel Messi in the MLS, although it didn't materialize. “Football is a global sport, it’s a world sport where everybody would like to have different football players,” he said.

Persons: CNN —, Iniesta, – La Roja, Mohamed Farag, ” Iniesta, CNN’s Becky Anderson, “, I’m, he’s, Lionel Messi, Mike Hewitt, – Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Germain, Messi, ”, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema Organizations: CNN, Spain, Vissel Kobe, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, UAE, Emirates, Ajman Club, “, Emirates Club, Inter Miami, MLS, Messi, Argentine, Paris Saint, Europe’s Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Japan, UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, North America, Barça, Catalonia, Catalan, ., Saudi Arabian, Europe

☆ Saudi soccer league lures Brazilian star Neymar as it seeks to attract 'exceptional players only'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Saudi Arabia also recruited soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and it's expected to bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with the jersey after signing with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Football Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 30, 2022. Sports analysts are doubtful that Saudi Arabia will see its ambitions to have a top soccer league realized, even with all the money it can offer to top-tier players. Charles Laberge | LIV Golf | Getty ImagesOther criticism comes from an attitude among many that a Saudi league could never be a serious arena for athletes. Emenalo, himself a former defender for Nigeria's national soccer team and former technical director at English club team Chelsea, called the criticisms "outrageous."

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr, Jean Catuffe, Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kalidou, Lyon's Moussa Dembele, Michael Emenalo, Saudi Arabia's, Al, Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, LIV, shockwaves, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Captain Brooks Koepka, Ricky Elliott, Charles Laberge, LIV Golf, Emenalo, it's, Khalid Al, Falih, that's Organizations: PSG, UEFA Champions League, Celtic Glasgow, Paris Saint Germain, Celtic Park, Getty, Getty Images, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, Brazil national, L'Equipe, Manchester, Saudi Pro League, Nassr Football Club, Al Nassr Football, Anadolu Agency, France national, Sports, American PGA Tour, Saudi Crown, CNBC, Royal Greens, & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic, Nigeria's, soccer team, Chelsea, Saudi League, Guardian, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund Locations: Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Barcelona, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Europe, Jeddah, King Abdullah, King Abdullah Economic City

But the future of the Games was thrown into doubt on Thursday when the province of Alberta withdrew its support for a bid, dealing another blow to the embattled Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Victoria withdrew due to projected cost overruns, with Commonwealth Sport Canada saying it believed the Australian state's decision had prompted Alberta's pullout. The expense to host a Commonwealth Games in any country is significant," Cary Kaplan, president of Canadian marketing firm Cosmos Sports & Entertainment, told Reuters. MARKET DISPARITYDespite the disparity, Payne said the Commonwealth Games could not be written off. "That will in turn erode the relevance of the Games unless the Commonwealth Games steps up its marketing and branding efforts in the years ahead.

Persons: Matthew Klugman, Victoria, Alberta's pullout, Cary Kaplan, Klugman, Michael Payne, Payne, Kaplan, Queen Elizabeth, Rich, Karolos Grohmann, Aadi Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: Commonwealth, Commonwealth Games Federation, Victoria, Games, Reuters, Commonwealth Sport Canada, Commonwealth Games, Cosmos Sports & Entertainment, European, Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Paris Olympics, Olympic Committee, Olympic, Birmingham, Thomson Locations: Canada, Alberta, Hamilton , Ontario, COVID, Australia, Great Britain, Britain

☆ Opinion: Trump’s hat trick is America’s Rorschach test
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Jane Carr | Opinion Jane Greenway Carr | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. “The ramifications of these charges for Trump and the country are enormous,” wrote legal scholar Michael Gerhardt. A sobering new studyAfrica Studio/Adobe StockA recent study has found that alcohol-related deaths are rising more quickly among American women than among American men. There’s no reason to think that will changeMike Shields: A tectonic shift in GOP voter turnout is underwayA back-to-school questionDenver Public School nurse Jennifer Nelson works at McAuliffe Manual Middle School. Every child deserves a school nurse.”

Persons: Pythagoras, It’s, Tobias Smollett, Peregrine Pickle, who’s, won’t, Donald Trump’s, Jack Smith’s, ”, Michael Gerhardt, “, Trump, ” Clay Jones, John Avlon, Ulysses S, Grant, Black, … Trump, ” George Costanza’s, Eric Klein, Jeremi Suri, ” Klein, Tanya Chutkan, Klein, Suri, Russell J, Levenson, Jr, Julian Zelizer, Dean Obeidallah, Phil Hands, Jon Gabriel, Gabriel, Badri, Paul Kane, punctuating, Aimee Phan, wouldn’t, Phan, Morocco’s Nouhaila, …, I’ve, CNN Opinion’s Kirsi Goldynia, Dr, Catherine Donnelly, Donnelly, Whitney Browne, Alvin Ailey, O’Shae Sibley, Clay Cane, Cane, ” Cane, Jill Filipovic, Filipovic, —, ” Filipovic, Eric Winer, Winer, Don’t, Ralph Tedy Erol, Catherine Russell, Rachel Marshall, Georgia Mark Zandi, Mike Shields, Jennifer Nelson, Hyoung Chang, ’ Organizations: CNN, Trinity, Capitol, Trump, Ku Klux Klan, Klan, Reconstruction, US, GOP, Warner Bros, Agency, Sun, FIFA, Canada, Germany, juggernaut, Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Adobe, Yale Cancer Center, Haitian National Police, Denver Public School, McAuliffe, Middle, Denver Post, National Association of School Nurses, American Academy of Pediatrics, Research Locations: Scottish, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, United States, Washington ,, Wisconsin, Phoenix , Arizona, xeriscaping, Morocco, Colombia, South Africa, Jamaica, Vietnamese, Philippines, Zealand, Vietnam, States, Thailand, Washington, Brooklyn, America, New York City, Philadelphia, Africa, American, Port, Prince, Haiti

☆ China was once a women’s soccer superpower. This year’s World Cup is a first step in reclaiming that status
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Simone Mccarthy Andrew Mcnicol Candice Zhu Cnn | Simone Mccarthy | Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The rapid development of women’s soccer programs across Europe and the Americas has fielded a new generation of powerful teams-to-beat. I hope through these matches, we can form a clearer picture of the current position of Chinese women’s soccer,” she told state media earlier this month. China scores against New Zealand during a group match at the 1991 Women's World Cup in Guangzhou. That’s even as more than thirty years ago, when China hosted the first ever-women’s World Cup in its southeastern Guangdong province. But as norms change, seeing China’s women’s team competing on the world stage at events like the World Cup would also “inspire girls” to play, Peng added.

Persons: Shui, ”, Xiao Yuyi, Rajanish, Xi, –, China's Zhang Ouying, Carla Overbeck, Vincent Laforet, Wang Shuang, Germain, Zhang Linyan, Chan Yuen Ting, Chen guo, Chan, Denmark’s Amalie Vangsgaard, Zhang, they’d, China's, Gary Day, William Bi, “, it’s, Qi Peng, China’s, Peng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, AFC Asian, womens, FIFA, Americas, Roses, Denmark, Haiti, AFC, Asian, America, Rose Bowl, Veterans, Paris Saint, Swiss, Grasshopper Club, League, Jiangsu, CNN, New Zealand, Sports, AP Soccer, Xi, Sport Management, Manchester Metropolitan University, “ Locations: Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Europe, China, England, South Korea, Mumbai, India, Pasadena , California, France, “, Guangzhou, Guangdong, Beijing

☆ Los Angeles Rams Owner on Saudi global sports growth: ‘It's not as easy as you think’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailLos Angeles Rams Owner on Saudi global sports growth: ‘It's not as easy as you think’Los Angeles Rams Owner Stanley Kroenke discusses his perspective on Saudi global sports growth at the inaugural CNBC Game Plan event.

Persons: Stanley Kroenke Organizations: Los Angeles Rams, CNBC Locations: Saudi

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