Saudi Pro League's new revenue-share streaming model could earn Ronaldo millions from his billion followers

The Saudi Pro League has unveiled a revenue-sharing streaming initiative that would allow players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, to earn money directly from their social media audiences by promoting live match links.

Under the ‘Share and Earn’ scheme, players and approved content creators can distribute links to individual Pro League matches or game bundles through their own channels and claim a cut of the income generated by any resulting subscriptions or purchases. For Ronaldo, who has accumulated more than one billion followers across social platforms, the financial upside could be substantial — provided the Al-Nassr forward opts in.

The Portuguese star has been at Al-Nassr since January 2023 and is chasing 1,000 career goals, though he has hinted that the current season could be his last before retirement. His involvement in the scheme is not confirmed, but the league’s announcement explicitly cited him as an example of the kind of high-profile partner the model is designed to attract.

The initiative also allows selected publishers to host official Pro League live and on-demand broadcasts directly on their own platforms, subject to league authorisation. The league drew a comparison to the Bundesliga’s UK partnerships with YouTuber Mark Goldbridge and Burnley striker Jamie Vardy, where streams are embedded within an approved partner’s platform rather than redirected to a broadcaster’s site.

Content shared through the programme can be viewed in 16 territories, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Serbia, South Korea, Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Cyprus and Greece.

League chief executive Omar Mugharbel framed the move as a structural shift in how sports rights are distributed. “For generations, sports distribution has largely been a relationship between rights holders and broadcasters,” he said. “Developments in technology and the growth of the creator economy give us an opportunity to add another dimension to that relationship — one in which a broader network of partners can help connect our football with fans and participate in that growth.”

Mugharbel added that the league sees the model as a way to bring football closer to international audiences while giving creators and players “a genuine stake” in expanding its global reach. “By democratising both access and distribution, we can bring live SPL football closer to international fans while giving approved content creators, our clubs and players, and other distribution partners a genuine stake in helping us reach new audiences,” he said.