The first non-Saudi owner of a local football club Ben Harburg was profiled by Bloomberg yesterday. Less than a year after his takeover of Al Kholood, Harburg appears to be pleased with the FC so far — “We are about where we hoped to be in the league, and qualifying for the semi-finals of the King’s Cup with three of the four best clubs was the cherry on the top,” he told Bloomberg.

The Sports Ministry is happy with the move, with a ministry spokesperson telling Bloomberg that Al Kholood’s performance this season is testament of what Harburg brings to the table.

ICYMI- Harburg led US-based sports-focused investor Harburg Group fully acquired Al Kholood Club last July, marking the first complete takeover of a Saudi football team by a non-Saudi owner. Harburg, according to Bloomberg, had picked Al Kholood out of a choice of three clubs, the other two being Al Akhdoud and Al Orobah.

Tags: