Crown prince of Saudi Arabia dismisses claims of 'sport washing'

With many of the world's leaders speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, the words from one of the most scrutinized — and feared — heads of state will certainly leave their mark on the global sports industry.

In his first interview conducted fully in English, Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, addressed the torrent of criticism towards his regime about its involvement in sports over the last several years. MBS, as he's frequently called in the international press, spoke with FOX News's Bret Baier about the Saudis' intentions to improve its standing in the world by what's frequently labeled "sport washing" of its disastrous human rights record.

As earlier transcribed by The Guardian:

“If sport washing is going to increase my GDP by way of 1%, then I will continue doing sport washing,” Bin Salman told Fox News in the first interview he has given fully in English. Asked specifically how he felt about the term, Bin Salman said: “I don’t care … I’m aiming for another 1.5%. Call it whatever you want, we’re going to get that 1.5%.”

Bin Salman spoke of other non-sports matters in the lengthy interview, including the country's relationship with Israel and supposed hopes for peace in the region, and its sovereign fund's investment in a private equity firm managed by former White House advisor Jared Kushner (the son-in-law of former president Donald Trump.)

On one hand, that Bin Salman is so blunt about the kingdom's agenda is shocking in that the primary objective is there for all to see — to make money from something other than crude oil, in which Saudi Arabia is the world's leading producer. Yet it's completely unsurprising in what it has already accomplished — gaining a seat at the table in the world's most popular sport through ownership in the Premier League's Newcastle United, and forcing itself into the ultimate "good ol' boys" club of golf with LIV Golf's impending merger with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

Western sports business observers have wondered if the Public Investment Fund, or PIF, will extend its reach into other sports leagues outside of Saudi Arabian borders. Though leagues such as the NBA have relaxed some rules to allow private equity firms to own shares in its teams, it nor any of the major pro leagues have publicly expressed opinions on the PIF or Saudi Arabia itself.