Spanish soccer's top-tier LaLiga has opened a workspace within the headquarters of the Saudi Pro League (SPL) in Riyadh, in another sign of the strengthening relationship between the two competitions.
The new workspace is designed for use by both Spanish and SPL teams and was officially inaugurated on December 2.
In addition, LaLiga has said that a league delegate will soon be based in Riyadh.
In terms of the existing ties between LaLiga and the SPL, in October the league announced a three-season partnership with the Riyadh Season sporting, cultural, and entertainment brand.
The deal makes Riyadh Season an official LaLiga commercial sponsor for the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 seasons.
In addition, last season the Visit Saudi brand was a LaLiga sponsor, in a deal valued by GlobalData at around $22 million for the year.
The last three editions of the Spanish Super Cup (albeit, run by the Spanish soccer federation and not LaLiga) have also taken place in Saudi Arabia, and a deal is reportedly in place for that four-team mini-competition to stay in the Kingdom through the 2029 edition.
Javier Tebas, LaLiga's colorful and outspoken president, said: "This workspace marks a new chapter in our relationship with the region and the SPL, and we are confident that this partnership will pave the way for exciting new projects.”
In terms of its overall international presence, the 20-team league has a presence in 34 countries, with 11 global offices.
Omar Mugharbel, chief executive of the Saudi Pro League, added: “This collaboration represents a vital step in forging closer ties between the SPL and other leagues, showcasing our dedication to opening the SPL to the world.”
Elsewhere in terms of new offices in Riyadh, Spanish TV production heavyweight and media rights agency Mediapro has opened a new branch in the Saudi capital.
This represents the 50th Mediapro global office, and has been opened “to reinforce its position in a region undergoing a marked expansion in the audiovisual market,” the firm has said.
The Mediapro Gulf division, with Mario Bayarri leading it, aims to "consolidate this presence and pursue growth opportunities for all group divisions.”
Overall, Mediapro has been active in the Middle East since 2000, and has other offices in the United Arab Emirates and in Morocco.
In terms of its efforts in Saudi sport, it has worked this season on producing SPL action.
Mediapro has stated that the new office is fitted out with the latest in broadcast technology, including 4Sky and cinema-quality cameras, as well as an outside broadcast unit.
Late October saw Grup Mediapro (the holding company behind the production firm and rights agency) unveil a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) sports rights brokering fund, targeting established and emerging sports.
