As football undergoes a profound transformation worldwide, the business strategies behind the game are becoming as important as the talent on the pitch. One name that has risen to the top of this commercial evolution is Romy Gai. Known for his deep understanding of the football business, his strategic clarity, and his cross-cultural acumen, Gai currently serves as the Chief Business Officer at FIFA, a role that places him at the epicenter of football’s global commercial direction.
But what makes Gai’s story especially compelling today is his close alignment with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a dominant player in global football. As the Kingdom invests billions into its football infrastructure and aims to bring the world’s biggest tournaments to its soil, Romy Gai is one of the key international executives helping shape this transformation.
Early Years: A Global Perspective with Local Adaptability
Romy Gai was born in Italy and developed a love for football early on. But unlike many who focused on coaching or athletic performance, Gai took a different path—business strategy. He pursued a business education that laid the foundation for what would later become one of the most impressive commercial careers in football administration.
This early academic background and natural global mindset made him exceptionally suited to work across cultures, regions, and industries—a skill that has proven crucial in his increasing collaboration with Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia.
Shaping European Football with Juventus FC
Gai made his mark early at Juventus Football Club, one of Italy’s most iconic teams. Over more than a decade, he held several senior leadership roles, including Chief Revenue Officer and Marketing Director, where he led the club through a period of major modernization and international expansion.
At Juventus, Gai transformed how European clubs thought about branding, international tours, merchandise, and fan engagement. He also spearheaded projects that later became reference points for clubs seeking to grow their influence beyond traditional markets. And it was during these years that Gai first started to engage with the Middle East, recognizing it as a strategic market for football’s future.
His expertise in these early days would later become vital when Saudi Arabia emerged as one of the world’s most important football markets.
Taking Global Responsibility: CEO of UAE Football League
After his success in Italy, Gai took a bold step and moved to the Gulf, where he became the Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Football League. Here, he was introduced to the unique opportunities and challenges of football in the Arab world.
This role gave him an immersive experience in Gulf football culture, operations, and administration. Gai developed a reputation for being highly adaptive, culturally aware, and deeply committed to regional progress.
But more importantly, his time in the UAE strengthened his regional ties—especially with Saudi Arabian sports officials, who were closely observing best practices in neighboring countries. His visionary leadership made him a respected voice in Middle Eastern sports development.
The Saudi Arabia Connection: Alignment with Vision 2030
With the launch of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia began reimagining its national identity across multiple sectors, and sports was placed at the heart of this transformation. Football became a key pillar of national pride, diplomacy, and economic diversification.
Enter Romy Gai.
By the time he was appointed FIFA’s Chief Business Officer in 2022, Saudi Arabia had already begun its massive investments in clubs, stadiums, academies, and media rights. Gai’s role placed him in direct contact with the Kingdom’s football authorities, as FIFA began partnering more deeply with Saudi Arabia on multiple fronts—from hosting major tournaments to launching youth programs.
Supporting Saudi’s World Cup Bid
One of the most high-stakes collaborations between FIFA and Saudi Arabia revolves around the Kingdom’s official bid to host the FIFA World Cup. Gai’s role has been critical in shaping the commercial and structural frameworks necessary for such a historic event. His understanding of both European standards and Gulf aspirations made him a bridge between FIFA’s global requirements and Saudi Arabia’s national goals.
FIFA+ and Saudi Media Development
Gai was also instrumental in expanding FIFA’s digital streaming service, FIFA+, a platform that has garnered significant attention in Saudi Arabia. With one of the most digitally active populations in the Arab world, Saudi youth became a key demographic for FIFA’s future, and Gai led the strategy that integrated the Kingdom into FIFA’s digital ecosystem.
Through digital media, Gai supported Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote its clubs, players, and national league on a global platform.
Collaborating with the Saudi Pro League
As Saudi Arabia launched its multi-billion-dollar initiative to elevate the Saudi Pro League (SPL), Gai and FIFA played an advisory and support role in several areas—from media rights valuation to global sponsorship attraction.
The SPL, bolstered by the arrival of international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Karim Benzema, caught global headlines. But behind the glamour, it required deep commercial knowledge to structure sustainable growth.
Gai, with his Juventus and FIFA background, provided key frameworks for revenue sharing, brand partnerships, and stadium monetization, helping Saudi Arabia understand how to grow a national league into a global product.
Building a Commercial Future for Saudi Youth
Another critical area of Romy Gai’s influence has been youth engagement in Saudi Arabia. Recognizing the massive potential of the country’s under-30 population, Gai worked closely with FIFA development programs to direct resources into grassroots football in the Kingdom.
Through FIFA’s Forward Program, Saudi Arabia received funding and advisory support to build local academies, support young talent, and create a long-term football economy driven by homegrown players.
This aligns directly with Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and creating career opportunities for Saudi nationals in sports and entertainment.
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 in Saudi Arabia: Gai’s Strategic Role
In 2023, FIFA made history by awarding the FIFA Club World Cup to Saudi Arabia—a milestone moment in the Kingdom’s sporting journey. While the public saw stadiums, matches, and cheering crowds, the behind-the-scenes commercial orchestration was largely influenced by Romy Gai.
He helped secure major global sponsors, crafted the tournament’s global broadcast strategy, and advised on brand alignment between FIFA and Saudi Arabia. The success of this event further deepened trust between the Kingdom and international football organizations.
Leadership Philosophy and Cultural Integration
What sets Gai apart from other global executives is his ability to blend international best practices with local values. In Saudi Arabia, he has consistently shown deep respect for local culture, religion, and tradition—building trust with decision-makers and ensuring that foreign influence never overshadows national identity.
His leadership is quiet but strategic. Colleagues describe him as someone who listens before he speaks, who delegates with trust, and who leads with data, empathy, and a global vision.
Beyond Football: Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Image
Gai’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia has not only advanced football—it has supported the Kingdom’s diplomatic and economic rebranding. As Saudi Arabia opens up to tourism, entertainment, and international media, sports serve as a universal language of soft power.
By helping FIFA align with Saudi Arabia’s narrative, Gai is playing a role in shifting global perceptions of the Kingdom, especially among youth audiences in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Conclusion: The Man Behind the Movement
Romy Gai is not just FIFA’s Chief Business Officer. He is one of the few individuals in the world who understands football’s evolution not only as a sport but as an economic engine, cultural symbol, and geopolitical tool.
His close alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has placed him at the heart of the Kingdom’s sports renaissance. Whether it’s supporting the Saudi Pro League, guiding World Cup ambitions, or building grassroots pathways for youth, Gai’s fingerprints are all over the new football era emerging from Riyadh.As Saudi Arabia continues to make bold moves on the global stage, Romy Gai will remain one of its most strategic international allies, quietly shaping the commercial and structural forces that define football’s next chapter.
