Saudi league hires former Man City CEO after Ronaldo arrival

The Saudi Arabian soccer league employed the previous chief govt of Manchester City on Monday to work on cashing in industrial alternatives created by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo within the nation.

The Saudi league stated Garry Cook, a long-time Nike govt earlier than becoming a member of Man City in 2008, would take over as president and CEO.

“Following the arrival of global superstar Ronaldo, the eyes of the world are on Saudi football,” league chairman Abdulaziz Alafaleq stated in a press release, highlighting a aim to “drive commercial and broadcast opportunities which strengthen the financial position of the league and the clubs.”

Ronaldo signed with Al Nassr by way of June 2025 in a deal reportedly making him the very best paid participant in soccer historical past.

The 37-year-old Portugal ahead, whose contract with Manchester United was terminated throughout the World Cup, made his league debut Sunday in a 1-0 win over Ettifaq.

“I have been warmly welcomed in Riyadh and look forward to immediately starting work to realize our ambition to make Saudi football a powerhouse of the global game,” Cook stated within the assertion from the league.

Cook joined Man City months earlier than the membership was purchased by new homeowners from Abu Dhabi. He stayed three years and helped lay the foundations of the membership’s first English league title in 44 years. He left early within the 2011-12 season amid a dispute over an electronic mail that was despatched to a participant’s mom.