Billionaire Mohammed bin Salman officially assumed ownership of Newcastle in October. Now, the Saudi Crown Prince aims to challenge the Premier League’s wealthiest owners by pursuing the world’s top talents for Eddie Howe’s team.
Bin Salman perceives sports and entertainment as vehicles to elevate his nation’s status on the global stage. The crown prince previously backed the Anthony Joshua rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr, held in his homeland.
Next, the 36-year-old prince is set to enter the transfer market to compete with Sheikh Mansour, a 50-year-old owner of Manchester City, who has invested over £1 billion in players and club enhancements.
During Mansour’s tenure, Manchester City has enjoyed remarkable success, clinching five Premier League titles, five League Cups, and two FA Cups, marking their most triumphant era in history. Reports suggest that Bin Salman’s acquisition was driven by a desire to rival Sheikh Mansour, a prominent member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.
Comparing the wealth of Newcastle owner Bin Salman & Man City Chief Sheikh Mansour
Now, let’s delve into a comparative analysis of the Crown Prince and the Sheikh, exploring their lifestyles, wealth, and the controversies surrounding them.
Wealth
Both individuals in this pair are financially secure. Bin Salman possesses an estimated personal fortune of approximately £13 billion, although he wields almost the entirety of Saudi Arabia’s wealth. Sheikh Mansour’s personal wealth is estimated to be around £17 billion.
Politics and Business
Bin Salman holds the position of Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia, serving as the son of the King and effectively leading the Gulf state due to King Salman’s limitations resulting from dementia.
Additionally, Bin Salman assumes roles as the deputy prime minister and the defense minister, and he has made efforts to portray himself as a moderate reformer.
In 2019, a historic change took place in Saudi Arabia when women were granted the freedom to travel abroad, register for marriage or divorce, and apply for official documents without the requirement of male guardian consent.
In contrast, Mansour holds the positions of deputy prime minister in the United Arab Emirates and Minister of Presidential Affairs. While Bin Salman has primarily concentrated on his political career as the leader of Saudi Arabia, Mansour has dedicated a significant amount of time to managing his personal business ventures.
Mansour serves as the leader of the International Petroleum Investment Company, which holds interests in various global businesses. He is also the owner of 32 percent of Virgin Galactic, having invested over £200 million in the company back in 2009. Additionally, he maintains a 9.1 percent stake in Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz and other renowned brands.
Furthermore, Mansour’s Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation played a pivotal role in establishing entities like Sky News Arabia and the English-language newspaper, The National.
Family Background & Personal Life
Bin Salman belongs to the House of Saud, the dominant ruling dynasty of Saudi Arabia dating back to 1744. This family encompasses approximately 15,000 individuals, yet the lion’s share of power and wealth is concentrated within approximately 2,000 of its members.
Reports suggest that the Al Saud family boasts a staggering combined wealth of £1.3 trillion, though some political analysts argue that this estimate vastly understates their true financial influence.
Mansour, on the other hand, is the half-brother of the current President of the UAE and holds membership within the ruling Al Nahyan family. As a family enriched by oil wealth, their collective assets are conservatively estimated at a minimum of £150 billion. Notably, they have played a pivotal role in the development of the popular tourist destination, Dubai.
Bin Salman got married to Sarah bint Mashhoor, renowned as the ‘Barbie Princess,’ in 2008, and the couple has been blessed with four children. While there are unverified speculations suggesting that Bin Salman may have three additional spouses. In contrast, Sheikh Mansour maintains a polygamous marital arrangement, with two wives and a total of six offspring.
Homes and holiday
Both Sheikh Mansour and Mohammed bin Salman enjoy unrestricted access to opulent presidential residences that serve as their family’s abode.
Furthermore, both share a deep fondness for the Costa del Sol region in Spain. In 2016, Sheikh Mansour acquired the sprawling 20,000-acre estate known as Los Quintos de San Martin for a substantial £42 million. The Emirates Palace hotel, often referred to as a ‘seven-star’ establishment, is another property frequented by his family in Abu Dhabi.
Mohammed bin Salman, however, took extravagance to another level in 2015 when he invested in the world’s most expensive residential property – the £230 million Chateau Louis XIV, situated west of Paris.
Yachts
Although Bin Salman may dominate on land, it is the open seas where Mansour truly outshines him. This maritime rivalry comes into focus as Bin Salman possesses the opulent Serene, while Mansour commands the magnificent Topaz.
It’s crucial to emphasize that the Serene is far from an ordinary vessel; it’s a maritime marvel that would make anyone dream of sailing on it. Originally commissioned in 2011 for vodka tycoon Yuri Shefler at an astonishing price of £200 million, this super-yacht spans 439 feet and 4 inches in length. In 2015, Bin Salman acquired this luxurious yacht, which can accommodate 24 guests and boasts a crew of 52, at the staggering cost of £380 million.
Cars
Mansour possesses an exceptionally wide car collection. In contrast, it seems that Bin Salman holds only marginal interest in automobiles. According to some reports, he maintains a relatively modest fleet, especially when compared to other billionaires. His garage allegedly houses a Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bugatti.
On the contrary, Sheikh Mansour’s enthusiasm for cars knows no bounds. His personal collection boasts an £840,000 Lamborghini Reventon, a remarkable five Bugatti Veyrons, each valued at over £1 million, as well as a £2.5 million Ferrari Enzo and a £3 million Porsche 911 GT1.
Mohammed Bin Salman vs Sheikh Mansour: Who is Richer
Mohammed bin Salman and Sheikh Mansour are both highly affluent individuals with ownership stakes in football clubs. According to available information, Sheikh Mansour presently holds the greater wealth of the two, boasting an estimated personal net worth of approximately £17 billion, whereas Mohammed bin Salman is believed to possess an individual net worth of about £13 billion.
