Call for Papers | “Football and its shifting global powerbase” | Special issue of Sport, Business and Management. Call ends June 30, 2017

Guest Editors

    • Dr Paul Widdop, University of Salford, UK
    • Professor Simon Chadwick, Leeds Beckett University, UK
    • Dr Dan Parnell, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK


In late 2010 came a significant announcement, Russia and Qatar were selected as the locations for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups respectively. It set in motion a tangible movement that was already well established in other areas of the global economy, the shifting of global power in football. Indeed, in the wider global economy where once the West dominated , predominantly through the economies  of the United States of America and Western Europe, the emergence of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) and the MINT’S (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey) have eroded this powerbase.

These significant shifts in geopolitical power are already having a profound impact upon football. Indeed, mirroring the worldwide economy, the traditional powerbases of modern football are firmly located in the west of the northern hemisphere. However, armed with vast wealth, BRIC countries together with oil rich Arab nations are strategically targeting football as a vehicle for soft power, economic development, geopolitical leverage and image creation, which is systematically dismantling the West’s control of the football industry, both politically and economically.

To date, whilst much has been explored in this area in other sectors, little has been researched in relation to the significant impacts this will have on the business and management of football. Therefore this special issue would seek to investigate the rise of the global south and its impact on  football business, governance, economy, and its consumption.

In line with the aims of Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal (SBM) this special issue aims to capture a coherent, high-quality body of work in sport, business and management. As such, the special issue welcomes a range of high-quality academic papers including conceptual and empirical, as well as case studies and critical analyses.

Submissions focusing on football in territories outside Europe are especially welcome given the nature and scope of this special issue. Studies originating in or focused on Europe should ideally be set in the context of the special issue’s theme. We are keen to receive submissions consistent with the following areas:

    • Football, business and management; strategy; accounting and finance; economics; marketing; human resources; IT; law; supply chain management and international business
    • Corporate social responsibility and ethics; entrepreneurship and governance; organizational behaviour in the football industry
    • Professional football; global football; elite football; amateur football; and grassroots football
    • Fans and customers; players and coaches; clubs and teams
    • Leagues and competitions; events and tournaments; stadiums and venues
    • Commercial and non-commercial partners; governing bodies and representative associations; intermediaries and athlete representatives
    • Suppliers, retailers and other outlets for football
    • Political economy of football
    • Traditional and new media outlets, including digital and social media
    • Places and spaces; local economic, social and other relevant projects/initiatives.

Key deadlines

While abstracts are not compulsory and manuscripts submitted by the October 28 deadline will be considered, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that a brief (250 word) abstract be submitted to the guest editors by June 30, 2017 to ensure that the planned submission meets the special issue objectives and that feedback can be provided.

Authors will receive notification of abstract submission and be provided brief feedback which will assist in progressing their full submission.

Author details

Please do not hesitate to contact the guest editors if you have any questions or ideas you would like to discuss:

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