Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, using a new investment vehicle, will reportedly make the Kingdom’s first foray into mixed martial arts (MMA) by investing $100 million in the US’s Professional Fighters League and creating a regional tournament, the Financial Times reports. Per the FT, “people familiar with the discussions said the acquisition of the minority stake was the first deal by SRJ Sports Investments since Saudi Arabia’s $650bn Public Investment Fund established the vehicle earlier this year.”
The transaction, using the new vehicle, is the first into MMA after investments into golf, football, and e-sports.
The people familiar with the discussions said that under the deal the PFL would establish a Middle East and north Africa league in the second quarter of 2024. The venture will have its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
SRJ Sports Investments will focus on acquiring and creating new sports events intellectual property (IP), commercial rights of sports competitions and hosting major global events in Saudi Arabia.
