This module aims to develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the structure, organisation, and evolving dynamics of football across diverse international contexts. It will focus on key stakeholders such as football federations, professional leagues, clubs, players, agents, consumers, and investors, exploring their roles and interactions within the football ecosystem. By examining how these stakeholders influence decision-making processes, the module will highlight the dynamics and tensions that arise as they pursue differing interests and objectives.
Students will critically assess how value is created, captured, and distributed within the football industry, providing insights into the economic and strategic aspects of football operations. Emerging trends, such as the growing influence of private equity investment, multi-club ownership, the increasing prominence of women’s football, and the expansion of football into digital and virtual spaces like eSports, will be analysed to understand their impact on the industry’s future.
In addition to exploring established football economies, this module will also consider the development of football markets in both developed and emerging regions, offering a global perspective on how football’s supply and demand dynamics are shaped by changing stakeholder interests, technological advancements, and socio-cultural shifts.