Sport Brands

Sport brands are a central element of modern sport business and a ubiquitous component of contemporary global culture. This groundbreaking book offers a complete analysis of the topic of sport brands from both a marketing management approach (strategy and implementation) and a psycho-sociological approach (consumption and wider society). In doing so it explores both supply and demand sides, offering a complete introduction to the nature, purpose and value of sport brands not found in any other sports marketing text.

The book covers the whole heterogeneity of sport brands, going much further than the sport team and league brands covered in most other books. As well as teams and leagues, the book considers the brands of sports celebrities, events, media, computer games and governing bodies, as well as the ethical, professional and technological ‘label brands’ associated with sport. Richly illustrated with cases, examples and data, the book explores the tangible and intangible influence of sport brands, their economic and social value, and the subcultures and communities that grow up around them. It also introduces common strategies for growing brands, and growing through brands, and examines the challenges and threats that sport brands face, from boycotts and ambush marketing to counterfeiting.

An understanding of sport brands is essential for a fully rounded understanding of contemporary sport marketing. As a result, this book is important reading for any student or practitioner working in sport marketing, sport business, or mainstream marketing management.

Patrick Bouchet is Professor of Sport Management and Marketing within the Sport Sciences Faculty at the University of Burgundy, France, and is a member of the Socio-Psychology and Sport Management research group. His research interests are actors’ behaviours (consumers, groups and organisations) linked to sport consumption (event, tourism and retailing). He has co-edited several books on sport management and marketing and two books on sport brands (Economica, 2008; De Boeck, 2009) in French.

Dieter Hillairet is Lecturer in Sport Management and Marketing within the University of Clermont-Ferrand, France, and is a member of the Clermont centre of research in management (CRCGM). He is also the director of the Masters course in Sport Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation. His research mainly deals with innovation management, entrepreneurship and branding. He has authored two books about sport and innovation, one book about sport economy and entrepreneurship, and co-authored two books about sport brands in French.

Guillaume Bodet is Lecturer of Sport Marketing and Management within the Institute of Sport and Leisure Policy and the Centre for Olympic Studies and Research, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at the University of Loughborough, UK. His research primarily deals with consumer behaviour regarding sport organisations, events and brands. He has co-edited the Routledge Handbook of Sport Management (2012).