Management of professional football (soccer) clubs: proposal of a specific governance model for the sector

Abstract

In general, Brazilian soccer clubs face financial and management problems. Good governance practices can be an answer to these problems since they aid in their administrative and financial restructuring. On the other hand, some adaptations may be necessary in this process, due to the specificities of this business. The present study elaborated a specific model of good governance practices which is adequate to the organizational characteristics and to the environmental context of the professional soccer clubs. A qualitative, exploratory, applied and interdisciplinary research was carried out. A bibliographic research was carried out and the data collected in this research were used as basis for the construction of the proposed governance model, using the comparative method. Then, the proposed model was sent to experts, based on a semi-structured interview script. The data collected in this process were analyzed according to the content analysis method and adjustments were made to the model. The model created suggests that, through adaptations made in traditional governance practices, a specific model for this particular business is feasible, tending to have some dimensions and practices common to the main governance codes. The results suggest the adequacy and applicability of the model, so it can be useful as subsidy for a possible regulatory normative milestone which comprises aspects related to the governance of professional soccer clubs.

Keywords
Governance; Football (soccer clubs); Sport management