Passion and Profit

This book analyzes the intricate relationship between football fans and clubs, presenting new approaches for those in charge to actively involve fans in club managementa complex task often fraught with emotional tension. Fan communities are spaces for integration and identity formation, but also for exclusion and demarcation. Moreover, the author highlights the resistance of active soccer fan scene towards increasing commercialization of their sport and their skeptical view of powerful institutions. This book therefore emphasizes that the goal of club management should be to develop fans from stakeholders to stakeowners, so that they can take on responsibility as equal participants in club affairs. The author, Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger, introduces the fundamentals of the "fan" phenomenon and outlines paths towards greater transparency and integrity, as well as productive dialogue between clubs and fan communities.

This book is targeted at academics, sports managers, and soccer enthusiasts interested in the intersection of fan culture, club management, and the socio-political dimensions of sports.

Innovatively explores fan integration in club management, transforming fans from stakeholders to stakeowners Thoroughly examines diversity and inclusion within football fan communities, offering unique insights Expertly combines socio-political, economic, and psychological perspectives on the role of fans in sports clubs

Autorentext

Univ. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger ist seit 2002 Universitätsprofessorin für Gender und Diversität in Organisationen. Von 2015-2023 stand sie als erste Frau als Rektorin an der Spitze der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien. Seit 2022 ist sie Vizepräsidentin des SK Rapid, Österreichs größter Fußballclub und betreibt seither spezielle Forschung zu Diversität und Nachhaltigkeit im Fußballsport. Sie erfreut sich als erste Frau in dieser Position eines großen Bekanntheitswertes.

Inhalt

Soccer fandom: a popular research topic.- 2. The role of fans and fan clubs from a management perspective.- 3. The management of sports clubs as stakeholder management.- 4. Member associations under pressure.- 5. The role of the media in soccer.- 6. Structural measures for the integration of fan clubs in member clubs.- 7. Conclusion.