Nasser al-Khelaifi Voted Innovator of the Year

December 2, 2011

Chairman of Paris Saint-Germain and President of Al Jazeera Sport Nasser al-Khelaifi has been named Sports Innovator of the year by SportBusiness International magazine.

The 37-year old’s purchase of international and domestic rights for Ligue 1, coupled with the acquisition of 70% of PSG have proved a hit with voters of the world’s leading magazine for sports business. The moves could completely change French football, particularly if the club can persuade former England captain David Beckham to swap Los Angeles for Paris.

President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dana White was runner-up, just ahead of Hassan al-Thawadi, the general secretary of the Supreme Committee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The top five was rounded of by America’s Cup Chairman Richard Worth and by National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, who sealed a new long-term collective bargaining agreement this year.

Other names to make the top 10 include Manchester United commercial director Richard Arnold, Mind Sports Partners managing director Patrick Nally, TV Globo executive director Marcelo Campos Pinto, UEFA president Michel Platini and IMG Media president Michel Masquelier.