Why are so many people committed to sports? Why are they so committed? Why do fans remain loyal when this seems illogical and counter-intuitive?The Psychology of Sports Fans explains the intricate psychological foundations of sports fandom, exploring why sports hold such emotional power across cultures and demographics. This book uncovers how sports provide meaning, identity, and community, making them an essential part of human life. The book examines the psychol...

The Psychology of Sports Fans explains the intricate psychological foundations of sports fandom, exploring why sports hold such emotional power across cultures and demographics. This book uncovers how sports provide meaning, identity, and community, making them an essential part of human life. The book examines the psychological mechanisms behind sports fandom, including the formation of beliefs, emotional connections, and the role of rituals. It explores how sports fandom satisfi...

Now in a fully revised and updated third edition, Introduction to Sport Marketing is a clear, straightforward, and concise introduction to the theory and practice of sport marketing, and the only sport marketing textbook you will ever need.Built around a step-by-step framework for developing effective sport marketing plans, and full of real-world, international cases, data, and examples, the text helps students to develop the essential skills and subject knowledge required...

This thoroughly updated third edition provides fresh insights into how and why organizations change, and why attempts to implement change commonly fall short. The authors explore the topic through contemporary perspectives such as hybrid work models, digital transformation, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion.Rather than promoting one single formula, the book presents 13 distinct philosophies on change, from rational planning and psychological approaches to systems, ...

This concise and thought-provoking book examines the myths and realities surrounding the value of sport. It asks a fundamental question: what is it about sport that leads to grand claims about its supposed capacity to do so many good things for society?Examining the evidence from sport around the world, at all levels, the book challenges the commonly held, uncritical assumptions about the value of sport. It looks closely at the claims that sport is likely to improve physical and me...

Now in a fully revised and updated second edition, Research Methods for Sport Management provides a complete introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods for sport management students and practitioners.Full of real-world case studies, data, and examples, and including international perspectives throughout this book to help the reader understand the challenges of research in different social and cultural contexts, this book links theory to practice, highligh...

Combining the latest branding research with a diverse range of powerful case examples, this book reveals the cutting edge techniques of value co-creation, personalisation and customer engagement employed by sport’s leading brands. Based on the transferable lessons that emanate from these practices, Brand Fans explores and illuminates how firms can cultivate connected fans and lifelong advocates, while building brand equity exponentially in the process. This is a book that will app...

In a sporting world dominated by media and money, an understanding of sport branding is an essential skill for any sport manager. Success means being able to ‘brand’ – and therefore differentiate – a sport club, player, code, or event in a highly competitive entertainment market. For anyone seeking to understand or manage sport, this book offers an immediate and salient insight into the complex and dynamic process of creating a powerful sport brand.The book explains how a sport bra...

Examining the legitimacy of the World Anti-Doping Agency, this book offers a critical analysis of the anti-doping system and the social and behavioural processes that shape policy, asking why the current system is failing.Featuring in-depth, contemporary case studies from around the world, including the whereabouts system; Lance Armstrong; therapeutic use exemptions; the Essendon Bombers; recreational drugs policy; and the Russian Olympic doping programme, this is the first text to...

Good qualitative research can help sport management researchers and industry professionals solve difficult problems and better understand their organisations, stakeholders and performance. Now in a fully revised and extended new edition, this book is a user-friendly introduction to qualitative methods in sport management. Covering the full research process from research planning to reporting results, this edition includes expanded coverage of cutting-edge areas including digital and social...