International Sport Business

International Sport Business: Current Issues, Future Directions offers a contemporary and forward-looking survey of the global sport industry, introducing the key themes, trends and critical issues that will impact decision-making and strategy in sport business in the coming decade and beyond.

Against a background of globalisation, disruption and social change, the book explores key influences on the development and commercialisation of the sport industry. It examines themes such as governance, the social role of sport, value chains and innovation, the increasing importance of data, digital technology and leadership. Every chapter includes cutting-edge case studies, commentaries, examples of best practice and interviews with leading sport business professionals, encouraging the reader to reflect on the factors that determine success in international sport business. The book also looks ahead, imagining potential scenarios for the future of sport.

Thought-provoking, underpinned by research evidence and intended to generate debate and discussion, this is the perfect foundation text for any international sport business course, and an essential guide to the future for sport business practitioners and policy-makers.

An accompanying eResource provides reflective questions for each chapter.

About the Authors

Hans Westerbeek is Professor of International Sport Business, Head of the Sport Business Insights Group and Director of PASI (Physical Activity & Sport Insights) at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. He also holds Professorial appointments in Brussels, Beijing and Madrid. He serves on various (Advisory) Boards including the Dutch Sports Council (NLsportraad) and Sportscloud International, and as an international consultant he has worked for a range of professional sport organisations, (inter)national and state sport associations and local and state governments in multiple countries. He has widely published in the field of sport business and sport management, and is a frequent media commentator. He writes a Sport Business Intelligence blog at www.hanswesterbeek.com.

Adam Karg is Associate Professor and Director of the Sport Innovation Research Group at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia. He is also President of the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ). Adam is engaged in a range of consulting and research projects, and advisory roles, with national and state sporting organisations and governing bodies, charities, sport technology start-ups and professional sport clubs in Australia and overseas. His research focuses on sport fan equity and season ticket holder and membership services related to satisfaction, engagement and loyalty. He also undertakes research in consumer behaviour, sponsorship, branding, media consumption and innovation in sport.