The Saudi Pro League is giving players a new way to profit from the competition, with a revenue-sharing initiative tied to social media promotion of live match streams.
The scheme, called “Share and Earn,” allows players and influencers to share links to broadcasts and receive a cut of revenue generated from each click.
Cristiano Ronaldo stands to benefit significantly, given his following of over one billion across social media platforms, on top of his existing £170 million salary.
Other high-profile league stars including Sadio Mane, Gabriel Martinelli, and Ivan Toney could also generate meaningful additional income through the programme.
Ronaldo already has a secondary financial stake in the competition after acquiring a minority shareholding in Al Nassr as part of his contract renewal with the club last year.
Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel framed the initiative as a response to shifting habits in how audiences discover and follow sport in the digital age.
“The way people discover, consume and engage with sport is changing rapidly,” said Mugharbel, pointing to the growing role of digital platforms and trusted content creators.
“For generations, sports distribution has largely been a relationship between rights holders and broadcasters,” Mugharbel added, suggesting that model is now ripe for expansion.
He said developments in technology and the creator economy present an opportunity to add a new dimension to that relationship, bringing in a broader network of distribution partners.
“By democratising both access and distribution, we can bring live SPL 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,” Mugharbel said.
The SPL’s approach follows a similar model being explored by the Bundesliga, which is showing select games as watchalongs on podcasts hosted by Jamie Vardy and Manchester United content creator Mark Goldbridge.
Growing an international audience is a central ambition for the Saudi Pro League as it continues to invest heavily in marquee players and broadcast infrastructure.
Mugharbel said the league sees the initiative as a chance to innovate and build new relationships with the platforms and personalities shaping how sport is consumed globally.
“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,” he said.