Cristiano Ronaldo could cash in under new Saudi Pro League streaming model

Players and content creators will be able to promote and share links to individual Pro League matches or bundles of games on their platforms and claim a share of the revenue they generate.

That could prove very lucrative for Ronaldo should he choose to be involved, given he has more than one billion followers across his social platforms. The Portuguese superstar signed for Al Nassr in 2022, but has indicated this current season may be his last before retirement.

Those clicking on a link shared by Ronaldo or any other participant in the ‘Share and Earn’ partnership would be taken to a league-owned streaming platform.

Selected publishers will also have the option to host official Pro League live and on-demand content directly on their own platforms, subject to league approval. That would operate in a similar way to the Bundesliga’s UK partnerships with YouTuber Mark Goldbridge and Burnley striker Jamie Vardy.

In that instance, the stream for the match or matches would be embedded within an approved partner’s platform.

The United Kingdom and Ireland are two of 16 territories where content shared in this way will be viewable, along with Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Serbia, South Korea, Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Cyprus and Greece.

“The way people discover, consume and engage with sport is changing rapidly,” Omar Mugharbel, the league’s chief executive, said.

“Fans are increasingly connected to competitions, clubs and players through digital platforms and the creators and communities they trust.

“For generations, sports distribution has largely been a relationship between rights holders and broadcasters. Developments in technology and the growth of the creator economy give us an opportunity to add another dimension to that relationship – one in which a broader network of partners can help connect our football with fans and participate in that growth.

“By democratising both access and distribution, we can bring live RSL football closer to international fans while giving approved content creators, our clubs and players, and other distribution partners a genuine stake in helping us reach new audiences.

“For the SPL, this is an opportunity to innovate, learn and build new relationships with the people and platforms shaping how sport is discovered and consumed around the world.

“As we continue to grow internationally, we want to explore new models that bring fans and the league closer together while creating shared value as our international audience expands.”