Three-way race emerges for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad

Three investment alliances are competing to take ownership of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, with an American-Saudi contest developing around the future of one of the country’s most prominent teams.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia is reviewing several proposals submitted for the club, known as “The Dean”, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah. The process is expected to continue until the end of next year.

One of the groups interested in acquiring Al-Ittihad is an alliance involving the American Glazer family and businessman Wael Jamjoom.

The Glazers are associated with ownership interests in football, while Jamjoom is a Saudi businessman. Their partnership is one of three investment bids reported to have entered the race for the Jeddah-based club.

A second American-Saudi alliance brings together Prince Saad bin Abdullah and American businessman Josh Harris, who is a co-owner of several clubs in the United States and England.

Should that group complete the takeover, it intends to appoint Hamad Al-Sunaini, a former president of Al-Ittihad, as chief executive.

The third proposal combines Sidra Financial with BlueFive Capital. The alliance is led by Abdulrahman and Sultan, the sons of Khalid bin Mahfouz, a former honorary member of Al-Ittihad.

Sidra and BlueFive lead the race

According to Al-Riyadiyah, the Sidra Financial and BlueFive Capital bid is currently considered the closest to securing ownership of Al-Ittihad.

The group has submitted the highest financial offer and its investment proposal is understood to have met the qualification requirements. It is also regarded as stronger than its rivals in financial capacity, funding sources and investment structure.

Its strategic plans for developing the club both on the sporting side and commercially have further strengthened its position, giving the alliance the advantage at this stage of the process.

The developments were reported on 20 November 2026, as the competing groups continue to pursue control of the Saudi Pro League club.

Al-Ittihad is one of the four leading Saudi clubs whose ownership has been linked to the Public Investment Fund. Al-Hilal became the first of those clubs to leave the fund’s ownership structure when 70% of its shares were transferred to Kingdom Holding Company, owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, in April.

The PIF’s review of the proposals for Al-Ittihad means the club’s ownership remains unresolved, with the final decision still expected to take time as the competing bids undergo assessment.