The world of sports has undergone a profound transformation in recent decades—not only in its global reach, but in how it is financed. One of the driving forces behind this shift is the rise of petrodollars, a phenomenon most visible in European football through clubs like PSG and Manchester City.
Why, then, are Middle Eastern monarchies such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates buying sports franchises? Is it to make more money? They already have more than enough, and in the 21st century, sports teams are not the lucrative investment many still believe they are.
So what exactly are these modern caliphates pursuing?
To understand this, we must explore the origins of petrodollars, their global economic influence, and the probabilities, challenges, and implications of their entry into the world of baseball.
The Origin of Petrodollars in the Global Economy
On August 15, 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon ended the convertibility of the dollar into gold. In other words, the most powerful currency on Earth was no longer backed by the world’s most precious metal. The “paper dollar,” as many specialists call it, became a fiat currency whose value depended on global circulation rather than intrinsic material worth.
This marked the beginning of modern globalization, driven by transnational corporations expanding into multiple jurisdictions. It is no coincidence that soccer began its global rise in the 1970s through FIFA, Pelé’s international fame, and the rise of color television. All of it paid for with green paper.
And the gold? FIFA made the World Cup trophy out of it.
Technically, petrodollars are the enormous revenues generated from exporting crude oil, especially from the Middle East. When OPEC raised oil prices and required payment in U.S. dollars during the 1970s, oil-exporting nations accumulated vast reserves of dollar liquidity. These reserves became the foundation of their geopolitical influence.
By 2023, nine of the ten most powerful companies on the planet were tech firms—except one: Saudi Aramco, the Saudi state oil giant. This tells us two things:
- Saudi Arabia remains the world’s most strategic oil producer—not due to quantity, but due to its high-quality light crude.
- In today’s world, there is no power without technology.
Oil-rich countries have enjoyed decades of savings capacity. Why, then, are they reinvesting aggressively now?
Because the global energy horizon is changing. Battery technology, electrification, and new materials like lithium suggest a future where hydrocarbons will lose strategic relevance. Oil may not run out—but it may lose value.
Middle Eastern monarchies understand this clearly.
They know oil is not the energy of the future.
And they know NASA won’t reach Mars burning hydrocarbons.
The Brokers’ and Agents’ Play
There are entire professions dedicated to chasing, multiplying, and redirecting money—brokers, financiers, intermediaries, economic architects. They profit from every fluctuation. Sports and entertainment are ideal terrain for them: a global distraction that diverts attention from geopolitical maneuvering.
Brokers know that Middle Eastern monarchies hold mountains of U.S. dollars that will inevitably depreciate. They know the market must remain active, because the petrodollar system thrives on circulation.
They also know one thing: there is little entertainment in the desert.
Except tourism, there is minimal urban, cultural, or recreational development across much of the Middle East. Sports become a strategic outlet.
But why invest specifically in sports franchises if they are not as profitable as technology, healthcare, or finance?
Because monarchies—absolute or semi-absolute—use sports as propaganda, branding, and geopolitical leverage.
The bread-and-circus argument is simplistic, but brokers use it effectively.
It is cheaper to buy a sports team than to pay for global advertising indefinitely.
It is cheaper to build a stadium with your brand than to buy ad space season after season.
This is why Arsenal plays in the Emirates Stadium.
This is why most MLB stadiums carry corporate names.
And the agents? They are waiting for Middle Eastern baseball leagues to take off so they can lure MLB veterans—those near retirement or earning league minimum salaries—with contracts no North American club could match.
Petrodollars Are Reshaping the Sports Landscape
Petrodollar investment has already revolutionized soccer, Formula 1, and combat sports. Baseball, however, is a more complex frontier.
Challenges of Petrodollar Investment in Baseball
- Baseball lacks deep cultural roots in the Middle East.
- Managing a team requires tradition, scouting expertise, and local infrastructure.
- Sports culture differs: soccer and motorsport dominate; baseball is still embryonic.
Advantages
- They can build elite stadiums and academies.
- Investment could raise competitiveness and global visibility.
Disadvantages
- Traditional fans may resist foreign ownership.
- Investor-sport cultural disconnect may weaken club identity.
Asia and the Middle East: Baseball’s Unexpected Future
In a surprising shift, baseball has begun expanding into Asia and the Middle East. On July 26, 2022, the United International Baseball League (UIBL) was launched. Its goal: bring professional baseball to regions where cricket reigns supreme.
Two Hall of Famers—Mariano Rivera and Barry Larkin—became founding shareholders.
Instead of building stadiums from scratch, the UIBL chose to convert cricket fields in India, Pakistan, and the Middle East into baseball diamonds. This accelerates baseball’s introduction while minimizing costs.
On August 18, 2022, the league announced that nine inaugural games would take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium—a symbolic move placing baseball directly on one of the world’s most recognizable cricket stages.
Later, the league rebranded as Baseball United, signaling broader ambitions.
A partnership with the Pakistan Baseball Federation allowed Islamabad to host the 2023 West Asia Baseball Asia Cup—an unprecedented milestone for regional baseball.
In April 2023, MLB veteran Elvis Andrus joined the ownership group, strengthening the league’s credibility.
On May 15, 2023, Baseball United unveiled its first franchise: the Mumbai Cobras, with former MLB All-Star Chris Sabo as manager.
On May 30, the second team, the Karachi Monarchs, was announced. The name honors both the Karachi Kings of cricket and the Kansas City Monarchs of Negro League fame.
The league concluded with two UAE franchises: the Dubai Wolves and Abu Dhabi Falcons, giving Baseball United a solid regional identity.
Conclusion: Is Baseball the Next Frontier of Petrodollar Power?
Not yet—but the trajectory is clear.
Petrodollars have already transformed global sports.
Baseball may be next—not because it is profitable, but because it offers:
- Global visibility
- Soft power
- Cultural influence
- Geopolitical branding
In a world where oil is losing future value, influence becomes the new currency.
And baseball—rooted in the U.S. cultural psyche—may soon become the next trophy in the Middle East’s portfolio.
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