Received:
2023-03-18 | Accepted:
2023-07-20 | Published:
2023-09-30
Title
More sustainable sports organizations' operation as a result of fan involvement into the processes of decision-making and community building
Abstract
Sports clubs and other sports organizations are important to modern society because their activities provide important values linked to sports. This article focuses on the passive consumption of sports as a leisure activity that brings fans joy, a sense of belonging, and other values associated with their favourite sport and club. For sports club managers to achieve sustainable operation associated with sufficient funds obtained from fans, they can apply various ways of involving the fans themselves in creating a loyal community and in selected managerial issues. The article’s aim is to describe the current level of knowledge in this area and follow it up with practical recommendations for the effective setting of the involvement of fans in selected processes. The applied methodology uses several methods, such as case studies, analysis of statistical data, storytelling, or the creation of flow charts describing the new setting of the processes in question. Data describing selected examples from practice and case studies were obtained from available Internet sources. However, the research results were supplemented by the analysis of data provided by the football association, which covers this sport at the national level within the Slevensk Republic. The main findings of the presented research include the fact that the involvement of fans in sports club management issues is often associated with concerns on the part of managers. Therefore, it is recommended to plan and implement the successive steps of this involvement, starting with involvement in the creation of a loyal fan community.
Keywords
sports, sports management, fans, fans involvement, sustainability
JEL classifications
L83
, Z23
, M31
URI
http://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/1101
DOI
Pages
10-38
Funding
The research was funded by Slovak Research and Development Agency under the project Sustainability strategy of a sports organization in the conditions of the Slovak Republic, APVV-20-0481.
This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
References
Search via ReFindit
ARSENAL.com (n.d. D). Membership. https://www.arsenal.com/membership
Search via ReFindit
ARSENAL.com. (n.d. A). Red Membership overview. https://www.arsenal.com/membership/red
Search via ReFindit
ARSENAL.com. (n.d. B). Your Reward. https://www.arsenal.com/news/your-rewards
Search via ReFindit
ARSENAL.com. (n.d. C). Junior Membership. https://www.arsenal.com/membership/junior
Search via ReFindit
Behrens A., Uhrich S. (2021). You'll never want to watch alone: the effect of displaying in-stadium social atmospherics on media consumers' responses to new sport leagues across different types of media. European Sport Management Quarterly 22(1), 120-138. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2021
Search via ReFindit
Boršoš, P., & Koman G. (2022). The possibilities of using artificial intelligence in business management. Paper presented at the 18th Comparative European Research–CER 1: 2, London, UK, November 28–20; pp. 19–22, ISBN 978-1-7399378-3-6.
Search via ReFindit
Byrum, T. (2022). Commanders narrow down mascot to four themes; fans to vote on options. https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/commanders/commanders-narrow-down-mascot-four-themes-fans-vote-options
Search via ReFindit
Casey, T. (2022). Fan Controlled Football League Raises $40 Million Series A Round Led By Crypto Investors. https://www.forbes.com/sites/timcasey/2022/01/12/fan-controlled-football-league-raises-40-million-series-a-funding-round-led-by-cryptocurrency-investors/
Search via ReFindit
CHELSEAFC.com. (n. d.). Matchday Packages. https://www.chelseafc.com/en/club-chelsea/matchday-packages
Search via ReFindit
Criswell, J., & Chron. (2023). Houston Texans seek fan input on future of franchise. https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/houston-texans-fan-council-17862100.php
Search via ReFindit
Durisova M., Kusnirova D., & Malichova E. (2020). Value Management Principles' Extension for Suppliers, As Major Company's Stakeholder. 2020 Basiq International Conference: New Trends In Sustainable Business And Consumption. p. 81-87. Messina, ITALY: JUN 04-06, 2020. ISSN: 2457-483X.
Search via ReFindit
EFL.com. (2019). 2019 Supporters Survey. https://www.efl.com/contentassets/5fd7b93168134ee0b9da11fa8e30abd0/efl-supporters-survey-2019-report.pdf
Search via ReFindit
EFL.com. (2019). 2019 Supporters Survey. https://www.efl.com/contentassets/5fd7b93168134ee0b9da11fa8e30abd0/efl-supporters-survey-2019-report.pdf
Search via ReFindit
ESPN.com. (2016). Fans vote for wolf named Zabivaka as 2018 World Cup mascot. https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/2978102/2018-world-cup-mascot-zabivaka-selected-by-fans-in-online-vote
Search via ReFindit
FACEBOOK.com. (2017). Fan Survey on the FC Bayern Munich official page. https://www.facebook.com/FCBayernUS/posts/take-our-fan-survey-and-enter-to-win-prizes-like-signed-jerseys-andpersonalized/1055311257945088/
Search via ReFindit
Fazal-E-Hasan, S. M., Neale, L., Sekhon, H., Mortimer, G., Brittain, I., & Sekhon, J. (2021). The path to game-day attendance runs through sports fan rituals. Journal of Business Research, 137, 308-318. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.024
Search via ReFindit
FCBARCELONA.com. (2021). How do you go about voting electronically? https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/2372176/how-do-you-go-about-voting-electronically
Search via ReFindit
FCBARCELONA.com. (n.d.). General Information. https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/card/1904932/general-information
Search via ReFindit
FCF.IO. (n. d. A). How it works. https://www.fcf.io/how-it-works
Search via ReFindit
FCF.IO. (n. d. B). About us. https://www.fcf.io/about-us
Search via ReFindit
FORMULA1.com. (n. d.). Your Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2023 Driver of the Day. https://www.formula1.com/en/vote.html
Search via ReFindit
Gergel T., Bucha T., Gejdos M., & Vyhnalikova Z. (2019). Computed tomography log scanning – high technology for forestry and forest based industry. Central European Forestry Journal, 65(1), 51-59. http://doi.org/10.2478/forj-2019-0003
Search via ReFindit
Gerring, J. (2017). Qualitative methods. Annual Review of Political Science, 20(1), 15-36. http://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-092415-024158
Search via ReFindit
HCSLOVAN.sk. (2018). Fanúšikovia Slovana sa v reprezentatívnom prieskume jednoznačne vyjadrili za pokračovanie klubu v KHL. https://www.hcslovan.sk/sk/article/old_fanusikovia-slovana-sa-v-reprezentativnom-prieskume-jednoznacne-vyjadrili-za-pokracovanie-klubu-v-khl
Search via ReFindit
Hoeber, L., & Shaw, S. (2017). Contemporary qualitative research methods in sport management. Sport Management Review, 20(1), 4-7. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2016.11.005
Search via ReFindit
HOSPITALITY.ARSENAL.com. (2022). Matchday Experiences. https://hospitality.arsenal.com/globalassets/new-folder31/new-folder/arsenal_matchdayexperiences-202223_brochure_web_1.pdf
Search via ReFindit
HOSPITALITY.ARSENAL.com. (n.d.). Platinum Membership. https://hospitality.arsenal.com/platinummembership/
Search via ReFindit
Hyatt, C. G., Sutton, W. A., Foster, W. M., & McConnell, D. (2013). Fan involvement in a professional sport team’s decision making. Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, 3(3), 189-204. http://doi.org/10.1108/sbm-aug-2011-0071
Search via ReFindit
Jang, H.Y., Olfman, L., Ko, I.S., Koh, J, & Kim, K. (2008) The influence of on-line brand community characteristics on community commitment and brand loyalty. Int J Elec Commerce, 12(3), 57-80. https://doi.org/10.2753/JEC1086-4415120304
Search via ReFindit
Jenson, P. (2022). Will Barcelona's fans vote to ease their financial woes? Crunch poll on £600MILLION sale of club's retail operation and TV rights that will determine the futures of Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski and others set to take place tonight. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10923409/Will-Barcelona-fans-vote-ease-financial-woes-sign-Robert-Lewandowski.html
Search via ReFindit
Kucharčíková, A., Mičiak, M., Tokarčíková, E., & Štaffenová, N. (2023). The Investments in Human Capital within the Human Capital Management and the Impact on the Enterprise’s Performance. Sustainability, 15(6), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065015
Search via ReFindit
Malichova, E., Durisova, M., & Kucharcikova A. (2016). The Influence of Selected Tools of Economic Policy on Managerial Decision Making on Investments. Innovation Management and Education Excellence Vision 2020: From Regional Development Sustainability To Global Economic Growth, Vols I - VI, p.3752-3762, Milan, Italy, MAY 04-05, 2016. ISBN: 978-0-9860419-6-9.
Search via ReFindit
MANCITY.com. (2019). Annual Report 2019. https://www.mancity.com/annualreport2019/downloads/mcfc_matchday.pdf
Search via ReFindit
MANCITY.com. (n. d.). Memberships. https://www.mancity.com/memberships
Search via ReFindit
MANUTD.com. (n. d. A). Meet the Fan's Forum Representatives. https://www.manutd.com/en/Fans/Fans-Forum/Fans-forum-representatives
Search via ReFindit
MANUTD.com. (n. d. B). Fan’s Forum. https://www.manutd.com/en/fans/fans-forum
Search via ReFindit
Mardosaite, V., & Jasinskas, E. (2021). Crisis Innovations in Sports Organisations during the COVID – 19 Pandemic. Transformations in Business & Economics, Vol. 21, No 3 (57), pp.94-103.
Search via ReFindit
Mastromartino, B., & Zhang, J.J. (2020). Affective Outcomes of Membership in a Sport Fan Community. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00881
Search via ReFindit
Maxton, B. (2019). Understanding sports fan motivation: A study into fan involvement, satisfaction and Loyalty. https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/71722
Search via ReFindit
Mills, M., Oghazi, P., Hultman, M., & Theotokis, A. (2022). The impact of Brand Communities on public and private brand loyalty: A Field Study in professional sports. Journal of Business Research, 144, 1077-1086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.02.056
Search via ReFindit
MKDONS.com. (n.d.). 2023/24 Season Tickets. https://www.mkdons.com/tickets/season-tickets/
Search via ReFindit
MLB.com. (n. d.). The 2022 Chevrolet MLB All-Star Ballot. https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot
Search via ReFindit
Mortazavi, R. (2021). The relationship between visitor satisfaction, expectation and spending in a sport event. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 27(1), 100132. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2020.10.002
Search via ReFindit
Nagy, K. (2018). Prieskum spokojnosti fanúšikov. https://www.dac1904.sk/SK/clanek.asp?id=Prieskum-spokojnosti-fanusikov-3563
Search via ReFindit
NASCAR.com. (2022). 2022 All-Star 101: Formats, qualifying orders, history and more. https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/05/19/2022-all-star-101-formats-qualifying-orders-history-and-more/
Search via ReFindit
NEHME, M., & ADLER, S. (2021). Revolutionizing the game: How Fan Controlled Football scored big with IBM Watson® Studio. https://www.ibm.com/blog/revolutionizing-the-game-how-fan-controlled-football-scored-big-with-ibm-watson-studio/
Search via ReFindit
NFL.com. (n.d.). NFL Pro Bowl voting. https://www.nfl.com/pro-bowl/ballot/
Search via ReFindit
NHL.com, Cotsonika, N. J. (2020). https://www.nhl.com/news/seattle-kraken-nickname-for-nhl-expansion-team/c317588092
Search via ReFindit
OPERATIONS.NFL.com. (2022). The 2023 pro bowl games vote is now open. https://operations.nfl.com/updates/football-ops/the-2023-pro-bowl-games-vote-is-now-open/
Search via ReFindit
Pandita, D., & Vapiwala, F. (2023). Waving the flames of fan engagement: strategies for coping with the digital transformation in sports organizations. Journal of Strategy and Management http://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-02-2022-0041
Search via ReFindit
Pavlík, M. (2023). Bublina spľasla? Záujem o podujatie v Miami výrazne poklesol a s ním aj ceny vstupeniek. https://f1online.sk/clanky/95318/bublina-splasla-zaujem-o-podujatie-v-miami-vyrazne-poklesol-a-s-nim-aj-cenyvstupeniek?fbclid=IwAR1PnJfZX3y34H80-5c6N_3F-Rw3QZC-jLtmA0byhkblL8SLO9fwNOtkl4Q
Search via ReFindit
Popp, B., & Woratschek, H. (2016). Introducing branded communities in sport for building strong brand relations in social media. Sport Management Review, 19(2), 183-197. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2015.06.001
Search via ReFindit
PR.NBA.com. (2023). Voting results: 2023 NBA All-Star Game starters. https://pr.nba.com/voting-results-2023-nba-all-star-game-starters/
Search via ReFindit
Reifurth, K. R. N., Wear, H. T., & Heere, B. (2019). Creating fans from scratch: A qualitative analysis of child consumer brand perceptions of a new sport team. Sport Management Review. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2019.07.003
Search via ReFindit
Rowe, K., Karg, A., & Sherry, E. (2018). Community-oriented practice: Examining corporate social responsibility and development activities in professional sport. Sport Management Review. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2018.05.001
Search via ReFindit
Škorić, S., Mikulić, J., & Barišić, P. (2021). The Mediating Role of Major Sport Events in Visitors' Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction, and Intention to Revisit a Destination. Societies, 11(3), 78. http://doi.org/10.3390/soc11030078
Search via ReFindit
SKSLOVAN.com. (2013). Zaujíma nás názor každého diváka! https://www.skslovan.com/clanok2060-Zaujima_nas_nazor_kazdeho_divaka.htm
Search via ReFindit
Soviar J., Holubcik, M., & Vodak, J. (2018). Regional Cooperation Ecosystem: Case of the Zilina Self-Government Region (Slovak Republic). Sustainability 10(7), http://doi.org/10.3390/su10072219
Search via ReFindit
SportsPro. (2021). Fan Controlled Football scores 700k+ live views on Twitch during opening games. SportsPro Media. . https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/fan-controlled-football-twitch-viewership-opening-weekend
Search via ReFindit
STATISTA.com. (2023 A). Revenue of Arsenal FC from 2008/09 to 2021/22, by stream. https://www.statista.com/statistics/251152/revenue-of-fc-arsenal-london-by-stream/
Search via ReFindit
STATISTA.com. (2023 B). Revenue of Chelsea FC from 2008/09 to 2021/22, by stream. https://www.statista.com/statistics/251147/revenue-of-fc-chelsea-london-by-stream/
Search via ReFindit
STATISTA.com. (2023 C). Revenue of Manchester City from 2008/09 to 2021/22, by stream. https://www.statista.com/statistics/251154/revenue-of-manchester-city-by-stream/
Search via ReFindit
Stevens, S., & Rosenberger, P. J. (2012). The influence of involvement, following sport and fan identification on fan loyalty: an Australian perspective. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 13(3), 57-71. http://doi.org/10.1108/ijsms-13-03-2012-b006
Search via ReFindit
THEBASKETBALLLEAGUE.com. (2019). The Basketball League. http://thebasketballleague.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/TBL-Ownership-Presentation-Website-Page-Pro-Forma-Copy-Updated-2_15_19.pdf
Search via ReFindit
THEBASKETBALLLEAGUE.com. (n. d.). FAQ. https://thebasketballleague.net/faq/#1463038221370-860dd910-bc7b
Search via ReFindit
Tobin, A. (2018). Discover How Man City Is Engaging With Its Local And Global Fan Base. https://www.forbes.com/sites/annatobin/2018/09/08/discover-how-man-city-is-engaging-with-its-local-and-global-fan-base/?sh=fdcec3238111
Search via ReFindit
Tumova D. (2019). Social Policy Of University Based On Decision Making On Academic Staff Motivation. Eproduction Of Human Capital - Mutual Links and Connections (RELIK 2019), p.442-452. Prague, Czech Republic: NOV 07-08, 2019. ISBN: 978-80-245-2329-3.
Search via ReFindit
Vassiliadis, C. A., Mombeuil, C., & Fotiadis, A. K. (2021). Identifying service product features associated with visitor satisfaction and revisit intention: A focus on sports events. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 19, 100558. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2021.100558
Search via ReFindit
Vrabkova, I., Ertingerova, I., & Kukuliac, P. (2021). Determination of gaps in the spatial accessibility of nursing services for persons over the age of 65 with lowered self-sufficiency: Evidence from the Czech Republic. Plos One: 16(1). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244991
Search via ReFindit
Yoshida, M., Gordon, B., James, J.D., & Heere, B. (2015). Sport Fans and Their Behavior in Fan Communities. In: Kanosue, K., Kogiso, K., Oshimi, D., Harada, M. (eds) Sports Management and Sports Humanities. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55324-3_7
Search via ReFindit
Zelenkov, Y., & Solntsev, I. (2023). Analysis of research dynamics in sport management using topic modelling. Managing Sport and Leisure, http://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2023.2200449a
Search via ReFindit
Zeman, M. (2019). Slovenskú ligu trápi nezáujem. Je to apatia, tvrdí odborník. https://sportweb.pravda.sk/futbal/fortuna-liga/clanok/497224-slovensku-ligu-trapi-nezaujem-je-to-apatia-tvrdi-odbornik/
Search via ReFindit
Zhu, J., Liang, Z., Zhang, C., & Wei, X. (2023). How are sports management, Renewable Energy, and Green Finance related? A survey evidence. Renewable Energy, 206, 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.02.040
Search via ReFindit
RSS 1.0
