It is a gradual process. First, the players will shift to the non-European leagues. Once that is done, gradually the fans will shift their allegiance as well. EPL still remains the most popular football league in the world. And that is because for many decades the best players in the world have participated in this league. If the Saudi Professional League wants to challenge the English Premier League, then it is going to take at least one decade to so that. That said, challenging the EPL is not on the agenda for the Saudis, AFAIK.
Despite having many negative thoughts and views as we are watching Saudi League and their vision about their change of domestic culture is going in right direction because they well aware about challenges and also having things which can bring better results they have done first job and it works for them as currently Saudi League is having magnificent increase in fan base in coming years things could increase, and their revenue could be also improved which will helps them for having more changes.
World Cup rights are also going to have good impact on their vision for changing culture and domestic system for bringing more tourists and sports in this region.
I've have read that apple is close to get the tv rights for the world cup.
This is werid but it can be a huge marketing for them, imagine if they do something like 1st person poing of view with the Apple vision pro and the global launch for later 2025.
It will be massive.
Gulf region influence and their market is important for all big players and if we have Apple then surely it's going to be massive, and they will be surely going to do things which will give them benefit and better exposure in market even many are feeling not good about Saudi Arab hosting FIFA World Cup, but we will be having another level of sports with their sources and mindset because they love changes, and they are also able to bring all required things with their sources.