At 41 years outdated, Ben Harburg has lived in quite a few places throughout North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, however in the present day he finds himself more and more touring again to Saudi Arabia after making a historic buy. Harburg turned the first-ever overseas proprietor within the historical past of Saudi soccer when he acquired 100% of Saudi Professional League facet Al-Kholood on July 24, 2025, the newest in a collection of strategic investments which have outlined his profession in finance.
“Traditionally, golf equipment in Saudi Arabia had been predominantly owned by the federal government, not people,” Harburg acknowledged in an unique World Soccer Speak interview. “Even in the present day, I’m the one particular person proprietor in Saudi golf equipment. The federal government began privatization just a few years in the past, with government-affiliated entities buying some golf equipment. To this point, eight golf equipment have been purchased this manner. I’m the primary overseas investor in Saudi Arabian soccer and certain the primary within the Center East, as a result of most different golf equipment within the area are owned by government-affiliated entities, royal relations, or ministries of sport. It’s pretty distinctive.”
Born in Colorado Springs, Harburg moved throughout Michigan, Switzerland, Egypt, and Spain. Like many others reminiscent of Lalas Abubakar and James Richardson, he fell in love with soccer as a young person after attending a Cádiz match in 1997. Harburg obtained a Fulbright scholarship to attend the Freie Universität Berlin, the place he studied Islamic research and oriental philology, and he turned a Neubauer Scholar at Tufts College. He hung out in Berlin, Dubai, Southeast Asia, and China, co-founding one in all Asia’s largest commodity buying and selling corporations earlier than promoting out of commodities in 2010 to give attention to enterprise capital and know-how. Since then, he has loved widespread success as a Managing Accomplice at MSA Capital, a worldwide funding agency with over $2 billion in belongings below administration, together with strategic investments in corporations like Palantir, Uber, and Airbnb.
“What the $2 billion refers to is the cash we’ve raised from outdoors buyers to speculate on their behalf. That’s not my private wealth. We handle funds from institutional buyers like endowments, foundations, pensions, and sovereign funds. The quantity could seem massive, however we benchmark ourselves every day in opposition to corporations managing $10, 15, and even $50 billion,” Harburg defined.
“This expertise helps me as an investor and sports activities govt. I’m used to extremely institutional environments involving governance, reporting, and sound funding choices. Every thing I do on the know-how facet is mirrored in soccer — creating worth, enhancing efficiency, and strategic progress — and the outcomes have been robust up to now.”
Harburg made his first sporting funding after watching the Netflix documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die, plotting Spain’s prime three division groups in a spreadsheet and analyzing key figures: metropolis dimension, stadium dimension, fan base, GDP per capita, authorized points, and membership valuations. He first invested in Cádiz in October 2021, and almost 4 years later, he accomplished a full takeover of Al-Kholood.
“It was a novel alternative to be the primary independent investor,” Harburg mentioned. “I’m not solely the primary overseas proprietor within the Saudi prime division, but in addition the primary purely financially-driven investor. That’s necessary as a result of I compete in opposition to government-owned golf equipment that don’t must make a revenue. It’s like constructing a personal military alongside a navy with limitless sources.”
In contrast to different Saudi groups with nearly infinite budgets, Al-Kholood operates on a restricted price range. After ending ninth of their first top-flight season, the membership invested simply over €5 million in 11 new gamers, together with Orlando Metropolis striker Ramiro Enrique. In distinction, Al-Nassr spent €105 million on transfers, reinforcing a squad that features João Félix, Sadio Mané, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I personal 100% of Al-Kholood,” Harburg added. “We’re competing in opposition to gamers like Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and the highest stars within the league. Our price range is a fraction of what golf equipment like Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, or Al-Hilal spend, however I believed it was the correct determination. I’m bullish on Saudi Arabian soccer — the nation has a large soccer fan base, a wealthy pedigree, and prime expertise. Salaries now surpass even the Bundesliga or Ligue 1.”
“We’ve bought world superstars like João Félix, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, you title it, so the standard of soccer could be very excessive. Saudi Arabia’s a very genuine soccer market. You’ve bought about 75% of individuals in Saudi Arabia who would describe themselves as soccer followers, which is the very best on this planet.”
At present, Harburg is targeted on his work with Al-Kholood, who, after shedding their first two matches in opposition to Al-Ettifaq and Al-Nassr, have since overwhelmed Damac, Al-Shabab, and Al-Bukiryah in league and cup competitions. They goal to proceed this successful streak of their subsequent match in opposition to Al-Najma.
