PIF Establishes SRJ Sports Investments Company to Elevate Sports Sector in Saudi Arabia, MENA

The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)
The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)
TT

PIF Establishes SRJ Sports Investments Company to Elevate Sports Sector in Saudi Arabia, MENA

The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)
The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Sunday the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments, a sports investment company that aims to accelerate the growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa region.

SRJ Sports Investments will invest in acquiring and creating new sports events IP, commercial rights of popular and prominent sports competitions and hosting major global events in Saudi Arabia. These investments are expected to deliver financial returns and localize partnerships domestically and in the MENA region.

The new company will target businesses specialized in offering unique fan engagement activities and transformative sports technology across the industry, bolstering Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment destinations.

Head of MENA Direct Investments at PIF Raid Ismail said: “We are thrilled to announce the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments Company to accelerate the growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, by creating and investing in international sports IP, enhancing the fan experience through hosting major global events and investing in transformative technologies.”

“The company will complement other PIF investments in the sports sector, all of which are contributing to a more vibrant society, in line with PIF’s strategy and Saudi Vision 2030,” he added.

As a long-term investor, the entertainment, leisure, and sports sector is one of PIF’s 13 priority sectors for investment.



Lewis Hamilton Paces Both F1 Practices on Opening Day of Las Vegas Grand Prix

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Lewis Hamilton attends the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II" at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 18, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/AFP
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Lewis Hamilton attends the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II" at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 18, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/AFP
TT

Lewis Hamilton Paces Both F1 Practices on Opening Day of Las Vegas Grand Prix

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Lewis Hamilton attends the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II" at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 18, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/AFP
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Lewis Hamilton attends the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II" at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 18, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/AFP

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton paced both of Thursday night's practices at the Las Vegas Grand Prix just two weeks after one of the worst races of his career.
The Mercedes driver was despondent over his performance in Brazil when he intimated after the race he wasn't even sure he wanted to finish the final three races of the season. Hamilton is moving to Ferrari at the end of the season.
“I didn’t really want to come back," Hamilton said in Las Vegas of his Brazil performance, where he struggled with the handling of his car, called it “undriveable” and “the bumpiest ride ever” after finishing 10th, The Associated Press said.
“If this is the last time that I get to perform, it’s a shame it wasn’t great, but (I’m) grateful for you,” Hamilton said on his team radio after the race.
Hamilton clarified those remarks in Las Vegas, explaining how frustrated he was by the Brazil performance.
“In the moment, that’s how I felt," he said. “I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend, but I think that’s only natural. It’s frustrating when you have a season like this, which I’m pretty sure I won’t have again, or at least I’ll work towards not having again. It wasn’t a great feeling in that moment but I’m here, I’m standing strong, and I’m going to give it absolutely everything for the last few races.”
He proved he can bounce back as he led both the first and second practice sessions Thursday in Las Vegas. He was followed in second practice by championship contender Lando Norris of McLaren and Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Max Verstappen, who only needs to finish three points ahead of Norris on Saturday night, was 17th in the second practice.
Hamilton and Russell went 1-2 in the opening practice, with Norris third. Verstappen was a more respectable fifth for Red Bull.