Ronaldo Sparks a Global TV Shuffle: Is the Saudi Pro League Safe on the Air?
7 February 2026
Overview
Reliable sources have dismissed social media chatter about global networks pulling out of the broadcast rights for the Roshen Saudi Pro League, stressing that what is circulating is nothing more than rumors and fabrications.
They told Asharq Al-Awsat that discussions of withdrawals do not reflect the contractual or media realities of the competition, which continues to appear on global broadcast maps under existing, approved agreements.
Clarifications
The sources explained that the spread of these rumors followed a misinterpretation of Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the matches between Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, where Al Nassr won and kept chasing Al Hilal atop the standings.
They noted that Roshen is now a comprehensive project built on a technical, marketing, and organizational system, not defined by a single player or a minor event.
They added that circulating such news without solid information underscores the extent of online rumors, especially given Roshen's high media profile, urging caution and reliance on official sources before spreading claims.
And for those keeping score: if the internet were a football pitch, rumors would be the offside trap—dramatic, yet rarely accurate.