The commercialization of sport since the 1990s has had a number of consequences. The market forces that have defined commercialization, notably pay-per-view television, whilst initially welcomed as important new sources of revenue, have also had the unanticipated consequences of de-stabilizing many sporting competitions and institutions, undermining the financial future of clubs in their traditional role as key social and cultural institutions. This has been manifested in the paradox of chronic financial loss-making amongst professional sports' clubs in an era of exponential revenue growth, a trend exemplified by the experience of Italy's Series A and the English Premier League - both cases examined in detail in this book. But, at the same time, some traditional sporting organizations have sought with some success, to chart a middle way, retaining traditional sporting movement objectives whilst also embracing a form of commercialism. The Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland, the supporter-owned FC Barcelona football club, and New Zealand rugby union, offer illustrative examples of such strategies examined in detail. This book explores the background to this clash of commercial and traditional sporting objectives, and debates the consequences for wider sports governance. This book was published as a special issue of Soccer and Society.

This examination of changes taking place in the world of football focuses on its growing commercialization. It covers such topics as fans becoming shareholders, with a say in the running of the clubs, and the setting-up of a government-sponsored scheme to support shareholder trusts.

The commercialization of sport since the 1990s has had a number of consequences. The market forces that have defined commercialization, notably pay-per-view television, whilst initially welcomed as important new sources of revenue, have also had the unanticipated consequences of de-stabilizing many sporting competitions and institutions, undermining the financial future of clubs in their traditional role as key social and cultural institutions. This has been manifested in the paradox of chronic financial loss-making amongst professional sports' clubs in an era of exponential revenue growth, a trend exemplified by the experience of Italy's Series A and the English Premier League - both cases examined in detail in this book. But, at the same time, some traditional sporting organizations have sought with some success, to chart a middle way, retaining traditional sporting movement objectives whilst also embracing a form of commercialism. The Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland, the supporter-owned FC Barcelona football club, and New Zealand rugby union, offer illustrative examples of such strategies examined in detail. This book explores the background to this clash of commercial and traditional sporting objectives, and debates the consequences for wider sports governance. This book was published as a special issue of Soccer and Society.

Football is big business - the biggest sport on the planet, it has seen a massive commercial boom over the last twenty years which has resulted in it being worth $12 billion per annum, globally.
Managing Football is the first book to respond to the growing professionalisation of the sport and the need for a text which both students on sport management courses and practitioners in the field can use. Expertly edited by two well known specialists in football management, it draws together the work of a world-class contributor team to form a comprehensive diagnosis of the most important issues facing football managers across the world, providing the reader with:
* Cutting edge analysis of all the important issues in the football industry and the management of football
* A clear and structured presentation and examination of key issues in football internationally
* A strong balance of academic and practitioner analysis and comment
* A strong pedagogy and structure allowing the material to be navigated easily by the reader
* Global coverage of the football markets including England, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, North America, United Arab Emirates, China, South Africa, Argentina, Netherlands, Mexico, South America, Russia.
Managing Football is simply a must-read for anyone studying or working in football management and is set to be an important landmark in this rapidly moving and globally expansive field.
* Contributed to by a world-class team of experts and well edited by two specialists in football management
* Comprehensive coverage of all key issues in football internationally, with a strong balance of academic and practitioner analysis andcomment
* Presented in a clear and structured format, easy-to-use for readers with clear signposts throughout the text and online resources for lecturers