One of the biggest generalizations in esports:
“They’re a Saudi company, so they’ll pay more.”
I’d like to remind everyone that Saudi organizations also need to make money to be sustainable. They don’t get “free money.” They invest, have shareholders and investors to answer to, and ultimately need to build viable businesses.
Yes, there has been a significant surge in Saudi investment in esports. But this is largely driven by the country’s strategic focus on the sector and the opportunities it creates for its young population. There are also incentives tied to creating employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.
In fact, when it comes to sponsorship opportunities, I would argue that the West and Asia can often have an advantage — simply because of their larger populations, an earlier head start in esports, and the fact that many global marketing budgets are managed from those regions.
So, on the international stage, I believe the playing field is far more level than many assume.
Just like in every other country, there are companies that succeed, companies that grow, and companies that fail.
Being Saudi doesn’t automatically mean having deeper pockets. Every organization still needs to build a sustainable business.