Who Owns Sport?

This fascinating collection of essays explores the complex economic, political, cultural and social claims over sport, from multi-disciplinary perspectives including philosophy, history, political science and management. The book seeks to uncover some of the tensions and dilemmas wrapped up within aspects of owning sport and attempts to make sense of the place, role, meaning and function of sport when set against the broad notion of ownership. It considers the relationships between individuals, organisations and institutions, and investigates the power of grassroots participants from the bottom up. In presenting contemporary analyses from many viewpoints, not simply the commercial, it asks the reader to think of sport differently. Important reading for scholars and students with an interest in sport and society, sport management, policy or development, as well as those studying political science, economics, philosophy and development studies, this is also a useful resource for practitioners, managers and those working strategically with sport.

Andrew Adams is Senior Academic in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity at Bournemouth University, UK. Leigh Robinson is Professor of Sport Management and Pro Vice Chancellor at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.

Introduction, 1. Ownership of Sport: Philosophical Perspectives, 2. Ownership and the History of Sport, 3. Corporate Ownership of Sport, 4. Who Owns Community Sport?, 5. Politics, Policy and the Ownership of Sport, 6. Ownership of Sport for Development and Peace, 7. Who Owns Sport at Sport Mega Events?, 8. Towards a Framework for Understanding Who Owns Sport, Conclusion