‘The people are amazing’: Al-Kholood’s new American owner relishes Ar Rass challenge

JEDDAH: On July 24, Al-Kholood Club was sold to the Harburg Group — a milestone for football in Saudi Arabia as the country accelerates efforts to privatize its sports sector.

The US-based company became the first overseas investor to control a Saudi Professional League team with a 100 percent stake.

Chairman and founding partner Ben Harburg, who has also invested in Spanish second division club Cadiz FC, brings a blend of global perspective and personal drive to the local football scene.

He moved to Ar Rass, one of the major cities in the Qassim region, in the summer and is now working to shape the team’s vision for growth both on and off the pitch. His staff comprises leading football, sporting, business and operations experts, including the group’s CEO, Robert Eeinhorn, who was previously CEO of Dutch Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Harburg spoke about his firm’s acquisition of Al-Kholood, his vision for the club’s future and the potential of both the Saudi Pro League and Saudi Arabia’s sports sector.

Acquiring Al-Kholood Club made Harburg Group the first foreign entity to own a Saudi football team. What was it about Saudi Arabia, Al-Kholood and Ar Rass city that made you believe in their potential?

We deeply believe in the growth trajectory of Saudi football. This is a country with the highest per capita football fandom in the world.

The national team are perennial participants in the World Cup. Saudi homegrown football talent is very strong and only getting better. The nation is investing in human and physical infrastructure ahead of the World Cup in 2034.

Al-Kholood was appealing because it was a smaller club without the burden of legacy fan expectations and history.