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Introduction: Alcohol sponsorship of sport is associated with increased alcohol consumption. Little research to date has examined the sponsorship of sport by no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) beverage brands, despite concern that the marketing of these products might be harmful to young people. This study had dual aims: to identify sporting partnerships between NoLo beers and Australian sport, and examine marketing tactics used in social media advertising to promote these partnerships., Methods: Our sample included NoLo beers sold online from three large Australian alcohol retailers. First, we performed a qualitative content analysis of partnerships between NoLo beers and sport using publicly available online information. We then analysed the 118 social media posts of NoLo brands linked to these partnerships using a coding framework adapted from the alcohol literature., Results: Of 34 brands, 13 had sporting sponsorship partnerships across a range of spectator and participatory sports. Key marketing tactics identified on social media were activations, time-and event-specific drinking, influencer marketing, competitions, and corporate social responsibility. In particular, NoLo brands aim to disrupt the sports drink market by advertising their products as healthy recovery drinks, or 'sports beers', through activation events. Brands are also using influencer marketing and competitions, two tactics shown to be particularly persuasive for young people., Discussion and Conclusions: NoLo beer brands strategically align with Australian sports to promote NoLo consumption. As they are classified as soft drinks in Australia, NoLo beverages are not regulated like alcohol. Future discussions around sports sponsorship and advertising regulation must consider NoLo products., (© 2024 The Author(s). Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.)

Abstract Background Unhealthy diets are a leading contributor to obesity, disability and death worldwide. One factor cited as contributing to rises in obesity rates is the pervasive and ubiquitous marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages (F&Bs) across a variety of mediums, such as sport sponsorship at both professional and amateur levels. Despite increased academic attention on the detrimental impacts of sport sponsorship within the obesogenic environment, this has not been matched by legislative action. One explanation may be the way that F&B corporations’ sport sponsorship is framed within policy debates. Framing is the deliberate ways in which (often contested) issues are presented in communication. This paper examines how sport sponsorship by F&B corporations is framed through media reports. Methods This study employed a mixed methods content and framing analysis. First, we conducted a quantitative newsprint content analysis (n = 234). This then informed and directed a thematic framing analysis of a sub-set of articles (n = 54) that specifically associated sport sponsorship by F&B corporations with obesity and childhood obesity. Results The findings suggest that two competing frames are evident within newspaper coverage: 1) public health and 2) industry. The public health frame rejects the sponsorship of sport by High in Fat Sugar and Salt (HFSS) product corporations in particular, calling for such sponsorship to be restricted or banned. The industry frame characterises sponsorship of sport as a form of corporate social responsibility, positioning industry as good moral actors and part of the solution to childhood and adult obesity. These frames are evident across other Unhealthy Commodity Industries (UCIs) policy debates. However, the prominence of industry actors within the sample is potentially indicative of their discursive power within this space, particularly with their emphasis on the financial maintenance of sport as well as encouraging physical activity, contributing to the lack of regulatory development of sport sponsorship by F&B corporations. Conclusions The findings of this study are particularly useful for public health organisations who seek regulatory change, as it may provide further insight into countering industry framing practices, raising the salience of regulation of sport sponsorship and thus increasing the likelihood of regulatory development that seeks to improve population health.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate the interaction effect that sponsor-team congruence and team fan (home/rival team) have on the influence of different types of sports sponsorship (joint, corporate social responsibility [CSR]-linked and conventional sponsorship) on fans' attitudes and purchase intentions toward the sponsor. Design/methodology/approach: Two experimental studies were conducted on 391 and 297 participants. The data gathered underwent analysis through five multivariate general linear model analyses. Findings: The study found that CSR-linked sponsorship had the strongest positive impact and the weakest negative impact on the attitude and purchase intention of home team supporters and the attitude of rival team supporters. Nonetheless, the sponsor-team congruence did not significantly moderate the relationship. Additionally, the research demonstrated that the fan identity of both home and rival teams moderates the impact of sports sponsorships on attitude and purchase intention. Originality/value: Previous research has studied the effectiveness of sponsorship format types independently. This is the first research comparing sponsorship formats regarding fan type and congruence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a parsimonious model of brand equity reverse transfer, where the reputations of sponsoring brands influence the brand of a sponsored sports enterprise. Building on associative network theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model, this paper utilizes an experimental design to examine how the brand equity of a sponsorship roster influences perceived prestige and ultimately the brand equity of the National Hockey League (NHL). Domain involvement acts as a moderator. Sequential path analysis supports the model's proposed relationships in that sponsoring brands positively influence the perceived prestige of the sponsored property, which directly affects the brand equity of sponsored property. Involvement in hockey amplifies this reverse transfer effect. While the numerous brands simultaneously engaged in sports sponsorship can be a source of clutter, these associations offer opportunities for sponsored enterprises to proactively manage their own brand equity. Although the predominant sponsorship perspective in the literature has been that of sponsoring brands, the supported model raises the prospect that brand equity transfer is not unidirectional and a reverse effect applies in the wider portfolio context seen in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to alcohol advertising and sponsorship through elite sport is associated with harmful use of alcohol. Owing to strong financial and cultural ties between alcohol and sport in Australia, policy action to restrict alcohol sport sponsorship is unlikely to occur without strong public support for change. This study tested whether exposure to counter-advertising exposing industry marketing of harmful products—a technique shown to be effective in tobacco control—promotes higher support for policy change and less favourable beliefs about the alcohol industry among sport spectators. Methods: A sample of 1,075 Australian adults aged 18–49 years who planned to watch an National Rugby League (NRL) State of Origin series game, featuring prominent alcohol sponsorship, was recruited through an online panel and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control (neutral advertisement); counter-advertisement exposing alcohol harms; counter-advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms. Participants completed a pre-test questionnaire and viewed their assigned counter-advertisement multiple times in the 5–7 days before the NRL game. Within four days of watching the game, participants completed post-test measures. Results: Compared to both the control advertisement and the counter-advertisement exposing alcohol harms, participants who viewed the counter-advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms were significantly more likely to indicate support for each of four policies aimed at restricting sports-related alcohol marketing, including the complete removal of alcohol sponsorship from sport (51% vs. 32% and 37%). They were also significantly less likely to agree with statements such as "alcohol companies should be allowed to sponsor sport since their products are legal" (39% vs. 63% and 60%) and significantly less likely to report liking alcohol companies in general (38% vs. 59% and 54%). There were no significant differences in policy support or industry beliefs between participants who saw the counter-advertisement exposing alcohol harms and those who saw the control advertisement. Conclusion: Counter-advertising employing messages that expose and critique the intent and impact of pervasive alcohol sponsorship in sport has potential to bolster public support for policies targeting alcohol sport sponsorship, diminish beliefs supportive of alcohol industry marketing strategies and enhance negative views of alcohol companies and their marketing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: There are concerns that unhealthy industries may use sponsorships to align their brands with the increased popularity of professional women's sporting events. This study aimed to identify and compare the sponsors of Australian male and female professional sporting teams in relation to unhealthy industries (alcohol, gambling, discretionary food and drink, and venues) and health-promoting companies and organisations (charities, government departments, and educational institutions)., Methods: A web-based scan was conducted from July to October 2021 to identify team and uniform sponsors, with descriptive statistics used to identify and compare results., Results: About one tenth of sponsors (team n = 269; 10.9%; uniform n = 62; 10.6%) were for unhealthy industries. Men's teams had a greater number of these sponsors as compared to women's teams. Just under 10% of sponsors were for health-promoting organisations (team n = 210; 8.5%; uniform n = 44; 7.5%), with women's teams more likely to have these sponsors as compared to men's teams., Conclusions: Professional sport provides an important opportunity to facilitate health-promoting rather than -harming sponsors. Health-promoting sponsors are more prominent in women's sport, but as women's professional sport continues to grow in popularity, there is a need for policy, funding, and support to prevent engagement with unhealthy industry sponsorship and create a level playing field with men's sport. SO WHAT?: Mechanisms should be developed to help sporting codes, particularly women's sport, to adopt business models that are not reliant on industries that cause harm. Establishing strong relationships with health-promoting organisations may provide alternative sponsorship opportunities for sporting teams., (© 2023 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association.)

The Olympics and the Paralympics are two of the largest multi-sport events worldwide that aim to represent social movements. The Games and the movements could be influenced by the widespread reach of their athletes' social media. Thus, this study examined if Olympians' and Paralympians' Instagram posts reflected their respective Movements. A coding scheme was developed based on the Movements to analyse the Instagram posts of Olympians and Paralympians. The Paralympians may be assimilating to Olympian/able-bodied ideologies regarding sport. While assimilation in athleticism, sponsorship and sport participation may be positive, as it promotes athletes with a disability as elite, assimilation in the category of advancement may have negative consequences. At the initiation of the Movement, achieving recognition as elite athletes needed to be prioritized. However, the results of this study indicate advancement needs to be prioritized to avoid forgetting the Paralympics as a broader movement and to maintain disability culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms from a variety of industries regularly partner with Formula One racing teams to achieve marketing objectives on an international scale. The sponsored properties offer signals of brand foreignness/localness, country of origin, and the potential for highly visible achievements. Firms enter and exit brand partnerships with some of the world's most famous athletes and iconic teams, yet the partnership decision-making process remains opaque, particularly concerning the impact of geographic origin and team performance among other criteria, including macroeconomic conditions and brand-related factors. This study contributes a quantitative model that analyzes 53 years of data encompassing more than 3,000 sponsorships across six continents. The findings improve understanding of brand partnership continuity/dissolution by explicating a shared nationality effect and a link with sponsored organizational performance that is robust across three distinct eras of Formula One. In doing so, the study contributes to theory by completing the sponsorship performance cycle and distilling partnership limits with regard to brand foreignness. The theory and quantitative analyses are buttressed by interviews with brand decision-makers, excerpts from which also shape the discussion of managerial applications. Implications include efficiencies in partner prospecting that enhance the likelihood of enduring brand relationships in sponsorship-linked international marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review of research on gambling sponsorship provides insight into the current state of the art of gambling sponsorship research, a theoretical framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying gambling sponsorship's effects, and a future research agenda to guide advertising scholars. Literature searches in Scopus and Web of Science resulted in a total of 46 publications that focus on gambling sponsorships, which can be grouped into three research clusters: exposure, impact, and ethics of gambling sponsorships. The review shows that extant research has mainly focused on sports sponsorships by gambling companies and that these sports sponsorships are omnipresent in the lives of both adults and minors. Although a positive association between exposure to gambling sports sponsorships and consumers' gambling attitudes and intentions may be assumed, causal and longitudinal research investigating the impacts of gambling sponsorships is limited. The review also shows that there is a lack of theory explaining consumers' responses to gambling sponsorships, although the gambling industry is a very specific industry and gambling sponsorships can be considered unhealthy sponsorships. We therefore propose a theoretical framework to better understand how gambling sponsorship works, which may guide future research on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the relationship between sponsorship objectives and sport team reputation from the perspective of companies. Our data were based on a questionnaire sent to sponsors of Victorina Himeji, which is a professional women's volleyball club in Japan. One hundred ninety-four companies completed a survey about sponsorship objectives, sport team reputation, and sponsorship satisfaction. We conducted factor analysis, cluster analysis, t-test, and a two-way analysis of variance to examine the research questions. The results demonstrated that sponsorship objectives were composed of three factors (marketing objectives, corporate objectives, and team involvement). They were classified into a "highly valued" cluster and a "lowly valued" cluster. The t-test showed that the "highly valued" cluster was significantly higher than the "lowly valued" cluster in all variables except for spectator-orientation. Furthermore, comparing sport team reputation of each cluster with sponsorship satisfaction showed that the more satisfied the sponsorship of both clusters, the higher the sport team reputation. This study concludes that sponsorship objectives are important for both sponsors and sport teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overweight and obesity is a global concern as a significant risk factor for non‐communicable diseases. Increased energy intake due to greater consumption of energy‐dense food or non‐alcoholic beverages high in fat, saturated fat, sugar or salt ('HFSS food') is the main explanation for population weight gain. The principal drivers underlying this consumption are the commercial determinants of health in the food chain, particularly the marketing of HFSS food. In the UK, some rules do regulate certain forms of HFSS food marketing (such as television and online advertising to children) and the government is considering strengthening these. However, although sports sponsorship by 'HFSS food businesses' (defined as a business preparing, cooking, storing, handling, distributing, supplying or selling food and whose products are primarily HFSS) is increasingly recognised as linked to HFSS food consumption, it has received little attention. This is all the more concerning in light of the recent proliferation of 'HFSS food businesses' and HFSS products partnering with sports organisations. Against this background, we hosted a workshop to focus on the relationship between health, nutrition and the sponsorship of sport and related marketing by 'HFSS food businesses' and to consider the implications for obesity prevention strategies in the UK and beyond. This innovative workshop capitalised on, and contributed to, ongoing efforts to conceptually unite existing research by bringing together an interdisciplinary team of experts providing unique and complementary perspectives on how to address sports sponsorship as one of the channels through which 'HFSS food businesses' contribute to poor nutrition and diet‐related diseases. This report summarises the structure, participants and discussions from the workshop; the existing evidence base; and the future research and policy opportunities we plan to pursue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Exposure to alcohol advertising and sponsorship through elite sport is associated with harmful use of alcohol. Owing to strong financial and cultural ties between alcohol and sport in Australia, policy action to restrict alcohol sport sponsorship is unlikely to occur without strong public support for change. This study tested whether exposure to counter-advertising exposing industry marketing of harmful products—a technique shown to be effective in tobacco control—promotes higher support for policy change and less favourable beliefs about the alcohol industry among sport spectators. Methods A sample of 1,075 Australian adults aged 18–49 years who planned to watch an National Rugby League (NRL) State of Origin series game, featuring prominent alcohol sponsorship, was recruited through an online panel and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control (neutral advertisement); counter-advertisement exposing alcohol harms; counter-advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms. Participants completed a pre-test questionnaire and viewed their assigned counter-advertisement multiple times in the 5–7 days before the NRL game. Within four days of watching the game, participants completed post-test measures. Results Compared to both the control advertisement and the counter-advertisement exposing alcohol harms, participants who viewed the counter-advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms were significantly more likely to indicate support for each of four policies aimed at restricting sports-related alcohol marketing, including the complete removal of alcohol sponsorship from sport (51% vs. 32% and 37%). They were also significantly less likely to agree with statements such as “alcohol companies should be allowed to sponsor sport since their products are legal” (39% vs. 63% and 60%) and significantly less likely to report liking alcohol companies in general (38% vs. 59% and 54%). There were no significant differences in policy support or industry beliefs between participants who saw the counter-advertisement exposing alcohol harms and those who saw the control advertisement. Conclusion Counter-advertising employing messages that expose and critique the intent and impact of pervasive alcohol sponsorship in sport has potential to bolster public support for policies targeting alcohol sport sponsorship, diminish beliefs supportive of alcohol industry marketing strategies and enhance negative views of alcohol companies and their marketing practices.

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Sponsorship of football teams by detrimental industries may negatively impact fans' dietary and behavioral choices. The study aimed to determine the proportion of sponsors on the jerseys of teams in the top ten football leagues that comprise companies producing alcohol or unhealthy food, or engaging in gambling. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, incorporating data from first-division football teams in 10 countries (Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States) playing from 2000–2022. Data were collected on the primary sponsors displayed on team jerseys and categorized into alcohol, unhealthy food (defined as producers of ultra-processed food according to the NOVA classification), gambling, or other, based on the nature of the products or services offered by the sponsors. We performed descriptive statistical analyses and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results: A total of 4452 sponsorship records were analyzed. The majority were classified as "other" (81.8%), followed by gambling (6.9%), alcohol (2.6%), and unhealthy food (2.6%). We did not identify any sponsor representing the tobacco industry. The prevalence of gambling sponsors surged from 1.7% in 2000 to 16.3% in 2022. Conversely, alcohol-related sponsorships dwindled from 6.2% in 2000 to 1.0% in 2022. In the multivariate linear regression model, these trends were statistically significant. The alcohol industry remained visible in the Spanish league. Conclusions: A significant proportion of sponsorships on the jerseys of top football teams across the world represents alcohol, ultra-processed food, or the gambling industry. Trends in the types of sponsors on the jerseys of leading football clubs across the Western world are diverse. Particularly concerning is the recent increase in the percentage of clubs sponsored by the gambling industry. To limit the detrimental effects of the promotion of unhealthy products, novel policies should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Food marketing restrictions often apply nutrient profile models (NPM) to distinguish unhealthy products that should not be advertised, however brand-only marketing remains largely unaddressed. We sought to test a threshold method for classifying packaged food, beverage, or fast-food brands as (non)permitted for marketing, based on the nutrient profile of their product-lines. Methods: We retrieved nutrient information from the Nutritrack databases for all products sold by the top 51 packaged food, beverage and fast-food brands in New Zealand, selected by market share. All products under each brand were classified as permitted (or not) to be marketed to children, using the NPM for WHO Western Pacific. The 25%, 50%, 75% and 90% threshold of brands' products permitted to market were compared. The 50% and 75% thresholds were compared to the WHO CLICK method, which is based on assessment of the brand's leading product. Results: The 90% threshold permitted 13% of the brands to be marketed to children. The 25% threshold permitted the marketing of 62% of brands. The 50% and 75% thresholds remained highly sensitive in identifying brands that should not be marketed to children. Comparison to the WHO CLICK method identified that a threshold method is more comprehensive and less arbitrary. Conclusions: A threshold model based on product-line nutrient profiling provides a robust and option for brand classification. The 50% and 75% thresholds may be the most politically preferred options for use in regulation, while remaining highly effective. Practitioner points: Brand marketing (e.g. sponsorship) remains largely unaddressed in existing restrictions on unhealthy food and beverage marketing to children. An established Nutrient Profile Model can be applied to a brand's entire product line, allowing calculation of the proportion of products that would not be permitted to be advertised to children. Restricting brand marketing for food and beverage brands with less than 50% or 75% of their products classified as 'permitted to be marketed to children' is a robust and evidence-based method that can be applied in regulation, with potential to mitigate industry challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public health bodies in Australia remain concerned about marketing of unhealthy commodities; namely unhealthy food, alcohol and gambling products. Children are particularly susceptible to the influence of unhealthy commodity marketing. This study explored adults' perceptions of unhealthy commodities sponsorship in elite sport and policies to restrict them.Methods: Four focus groups of 7-8 frequent sport spectators were recruited, including parents and non-parents, and located in inner and outer suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Results were analysed thematically.Results: Participants identified the contradictions of healthy messages of sport and unhealthy commodities, while highlighting the commercial value of sport sponsorship to sporting clubs. There is concern around children's exposure to effective and integrated marketing techniques when viewing sport, which encouraged unhealthy habits. Support for restricting sponsorship related to perceived product harm, with gambling viewed as having the greatest health impact. Participants were supportive of policies that reduced exposure of unhealthy commodities to children, but were concerned about the financial risk to sporting clubs. Governments and sports associations were identified as holding responsibility for enacting changes.Conclusion: A number of options were identified for advocates to gain public and political traction to reduce unhealthy commodity sponsorship. There is potential for shifts away from unhealthy sponsorship by both governments and sports associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media and sport research has produced a significant corpus of academic literature. This work has enhanced our understanding of the influence of social media in various areas of the sport industry. This work, however, has often glamorized social media and its benefits, leading to a normalization about social media that obscures its negative effects and impacts in sport. This commentary reflects on how social media and sport research has evolved over time and calls for more consideration to be given to critical approaches to social media research that look beyond analysis of social media content. The commentary specifically addresses areas of inquiry around athlete welfare and social media, social media and young athletes, and social media professionals and their work environment. The commentary aims to encourage more critical perspectives related to social media that will enhance the inclusivity of the social media and sport literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gambling marketing communications create a public health risk by increasing the normalisation of gambling in sports. In a context where broad level studies report significant underage gambling, currently no evidence exists on how these communications are received by children in the Republic of Ireland (hereafter Ireland) and Northern Ireland. To build this evidence base and provide granular detail below broad level data, this study explored the sport consumption habits and views of Irish children (aged 14–17 years) on their exposure, awareness and perceptions of the relationship between sport and gambling. Methods: Drawing on a constructivist approach to data collection, 6 face-to-face focus groups were staged with a total of 51 youth sport consumers from both sides of the border region on the island of Ireland. Results: Four main themes were established. First, mediated sport consumption was predominantly via mobile social media. Second, we found that their exposure to gambling marketing was high and while frequently seen through social media channels it was also prevalent in peer-to-peer conversations and on the main street. Third, we found mixed responses on their perceptions about gambling and sport. While many felt that sport and gambling were a good fit, they were aware of the financial risks involved. Few children understood the wider social risks with gambling harm. Fourth, children were sceptical of claims made in gambling communications. These findings highlight concerns about how exposure to gambling marketing is impacting children’s views on sport and on gambling. These views need to be taken into consideration when broadcasters and sport organizations are entering into commercial associations. Conclusions: Gambling marketing is noticed by children watching mass and social media, and in the towns in the border regions of the island of Ireland. Our study provides children’s viewpoints on this topic which complements the larger quantitative studies in Ireland and Northern Ireland that highlight the growing prevalence of children and gambling. This study not only extends the literature on the exposure, awareness and perceptions of children on the island of Ireland but provides crucial evidence to public health advocates in this region demonstrating the pervasiveness of gambling communications in and around children’s spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, males have been more involved in community sports, and they also consume alcohol at higher rates compared to other genders in Aotearoa NZ. The present study drew on notions of gender and hegemonic masculinity to explore people's experiences of sports clubs, alcohol and masculinity. In-depth individual interviews were undertaken with 12 participants (10 males, 2 females, aged 23–56), who belonged to a range of sports clubs. Following transcription, the data were analysed thematically, and three key themes were identified: (1) pervasiveness: alcohol is everywhere; (2) masculine behaviours dominate; (3) feeling alienated. Findings reinforce how hegemonic masculinity and alcohol consumption remain pervasive within many community sports settings. This impacts on feelings of belonging and views on what constitutes appropriate behaviours. Those who do not belong to the dominant group, or conform to the status quo, are subordinated and formal hierarchies continue to favour dominant groups. Harmful behaviours linked with hegemonic masculinity were also exacerbated by alcohol consumption. Findings are considered in terms of how to change power dynamics and drinking practices perpetuated by hegemonic masculine norms to promote a more inclusive and safer space for all members of community sports clubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Social media is replete with malicious and unempathetic rhetoric yet few studies explain why these emotions are publicly dispersed. The purpose of the study is to investigate how the intergroup counter-empathic response called schadenfreude originates and how it prompts media consumption and engagement. Design/methodology/approach: The study consists of two field surveys of 635 in-group members of two professional sports teams and 300 residents of California and Texas with political party affiliations. The analysis uses SEM quantitative methods. Findings: Domain passion and group identification together determine the harmonious/obsessive tendencies of passion for an activity and explain the schadenfreude response toward the rival out-group. Group identification is a stronger driver of obsessive passion compared to harmonious passion. Schadenfreude directly influences the use of traditional media (TV, radio, domain websites), it triggers social media engagement (posting), and it accelerates harmonious passion's effects on social media posting. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited by the groups used to evaluate the research model, sports, and politics. Social implications: The more highly identified and passionate group members experience greater counter-empathy toward a rival. At extreme levels of group identification, obsessive passion increases at an increasing rate and may characterize extremism. Harboring feelings of schadenfreude toward the out-group prompts those with harmonious passion for an activity to more frequently engage on social media in unempathetic ways. Originality/value: This study links the unempathetic, yet common emotion of schadenfreude with passion, intergroup dynamics, and media behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study uses Bourdieu's sociology of practice to help understand how different actors in football consider 'unhealthy' sponsorships (defined as promoting gambling, food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS), and alcohol) in the English Premier League. Eighteen informants were interviewed including those employed by football clubs and their charitable foundations, others with a commercial interest in the football industry, and members of fan organisations. Their responses were examined using a thematic approach and reflected the distribution of economic and cultural power between the agents in the field of football. Tensions within these fields of power are illustrated diagrammatically between those in possession of economic capital (the clubs), and those who protect the cultural capital of 'their' clubs (the fans). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The impact of various factors on how TV sports audiences perceive sport event sponsors' billboards around sports facilities has been the subject of extensive research. Despite numerous factors that impact the effectiveness of sponsor signage at sporting events, there has been a lack of research regarding the language used for such signage around sports facilities' billboards. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of billboard advertisement language on TV sports audiences' recognition, recall and search intention to sponsor signage. Design/methodology/approach: This study employed an online experimental design. Participants (n = 925) were recruited from two linguistically different regions: Chinese and English. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: watching tennis video matches with billboard advertisements presented in either the Roman alphabet exclusively or in a combination of the Roman alphabet and Chinese characters. Findings: This study revealed that although language cannot significantly impact audiences' unaided recall of a brand, it does have a discernible effect on brand recognition and search intention among audiences. Additionally, people are more likely to search for brands in their native language. Participants from various regions tend to have different recognition rates and search intentions for sport sponsors. Originality/value: This is the first manuscript examining the use of different languages in relation to audiences' recognition and recall of sports sponsorship. It provides empirical evidence of the importance of carefully considering the language used in sponsor signage around stadium billboards to optimize the efficacy of sponsorships at sports events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Društvena Istraživanja is the property of Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sleep and mental health problems are common in athletic cohorts; however, our knowledge is limited to current, elite athletes. We attempted to compare the symptomology of sleep and mental health problems across different playing statuses and competition levels. An online survey was completed by 946 adults from 37 sports (52.3% women) in seven countries. Athletes were currently competing, retired from competition (<20 years ago), or temporarily unable to play (i.e. injury/season postponed), from all competition levels. Retired athletes were at greater risk of sleep disordered breathing than current athletes (OR=2.30, 95% CI[1.66,3.20]) and those unable to play (OR=1.83, 95% CI[1.07,3.13]. Retired athletes (OR=1.54, 95% CI[1.11,2.15]) and those unable to play (OR=2.15, 95% CI[1.36,3.39]) were at greater risk of compromised wellbeing than current athletes. Sports institute/university/college level and semi-professional athletes were at greater risk of anxiety than professional athletes (OR=2.82, 95% CI[1.29, 6.17]; OR=2.38, 95% CI[1.10, 5.16]), respectively. Current and retired athletes had comparable risk of sleep difficulty, depression, and anxiety, while retired athletes were at the greatest risk for sleep apnoea, reflecting previous literature. Foreclosure of sport may explain reduced wellbeing in retired and temporarily unable to compete athletes. Emerging athletes were at elevated risk for depression and anxiety, with distinct barriers and stressors to elite athletes. The high risk prevalence observed has significant implications for the assessment and identification of sleep and mental health issues in athletic populations, highlighting the importance of intervention and prevention strategies. Findings underscore the necessity for longitudinal research, increased transparency from sporting organisations, and enhanced support during and beyond athletic careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Drawing upon the Social Identity Theory, this research aims to investigate the effectiveness of Qatar's soft power sponsorships among the Indian Premier League (IPL) fans in India. We explore the relationship between team identification, team-sponsor fit, and purchase intention of sports fans, while also examining the moderating effect of sponsor brand awareness in the context of the IPL. Design/methodology/approach: Using a quantitative research design, we conducted both offline and online surveys from sports fans. The proposed model was examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling to test the study's hypotheses. Findings: The results reveal a positive and significant association between team identification and team-sponsor fit, and team-sponsor fit and purchase intention of sponsor brands. Further, brand awareness moderates the relationship between team-sponsor fit and purchase intention of sponsor brands, but not on the team identification and team-sponsor fit relationship. Research limitations/implications: This research adds to the paradigm of social identity theory and soft power sponsorship research. By providing insights into fans' predisposition towards the team sponsors, the study will help managers design effective brand promotion strategies. Originality/value: This research is the first to explore the effectiveness of soft-power sponsorships in the Indian mega-sports landscap. It is also the first to explore the moderating effect of sponsor brand awareness on sponsorship effectiveness, which is determined through the purchase intentions of the sponsor brand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Athlete maltreatment in organized sport has attracted considerable attention from governing bodies, stakeholders and the general public. Despite numerous studies and policy proposals from various countries, the problem remains unresolved due to its inherent complexity. Drawing upon the concept of 'a wicked problem' widely utilized in policy analysis, this study first identifies the wicked features of maltreatment, focusing on: (1) the difficulty of establishing a definition of maltreatment; (2) the challenges of identifying its causes; and (3) the impediments to identifying solutions in a context of embedded stakeholders and unintended consequences. To provide further analysis, we compare athlete maltreatment with other issues in sport such as doping and match-fixing, to suggest that lessons can be drawn from other wicked problems in the same contested terrain. Overall, given the complex interplay between maltreatment and the maintenance/legitimization of sport systems, this paper calls for continuing attention and evaluation of existing research/policies and advocates for a more multidimensional view that acknowledges maltreatment as a wicked problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have investigated the influence of sponsors on the sport organizations with whom they partner. However, rather than simply assessing the impact of a new, incremental sponsor, which should result in a net positive for the sponsored organization, we quantify and isolate the effect of resources provided upon the switch of one sponsor to another. Furthermore, the resource-based view of the firm is utilized as a theoretical lens to understand the effects of these resources on demand, the ability to recruit human capital, and organizational performance. In Study 1, we analyze 15 years of data from 98 sponsorship agreements, finding that switches provide additional resources, but do not positively impact demand, recruiting, or performance, even in subsequent years. In Study 2, we find that the financial commitment necessary to acquire a sponsorship from a competitor does not result in a corresponding increase in shareholder value for the sponsoring firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this research endeavor outlined in the thesis was to evaluate the impact of the individual dimensions of Customer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) – brand awareness, brand association, perceived quality and brand loyalty – on the overall brand capital of the researched amateur football club Talent Warszawa. The author sought to discern which among the individual dimensions of CBBE exerted the most significant influence on fostering the overall brand capital of the club under examination. A questionnaire was distributed amongst the constituents of Talent Warszawa, including players, parents and guardians, players' families, and supporters of amateur football. The survey garnered responses from a total of 102 stakeholders affiliated with the club. The reliability of the measurement scale was validated through Cronbach's Alpha analysis. The findings of the study evince a positive correlation among all variables under scrutiny, encompassing brand awareness, brand association, perceived quality, brand loyalty, and the overarching construct of CBBE. Notably, perceived quality emerged as the factor showing the highest positive correlation (0.88), thus indicating the most robust positive association with CBBE. However, despite the observed positive relationship, brand awareness manifested the lowest correlation with the overall consumer-based brand equity (0.70), relative to the other investigated factors. Using the insights from this study, amateur sports clubs can strategically manage brand elements to foster brand equity, emphasizing the importance of brand awareness as an initial step in building a positive brand image and fostering fan engagement and loyalty. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights into effective brand management strategies for amateur sports clubs to enhance their brand equity and foster enduring relationships with fans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating and selecting players to suit football clubs and decision-makers (coaches, managers, technical, and medical staff) is a difficult process from a managerial-financial and sporting perspective. Football is a highly competitive sport where sponsors and fans are attracted by success. The most successful players, based on their characteristics (criteria and sub-criteria), can influence the outcome of a football game at any given time. Consequently, the D-day of selection should employ a more appropriate approach to human resource management. To effectively address this issue, a detailed study and analysis of the available literature are needed to assist practitioners and professionals in making decisions about football player selection and hiring. Peer-reviewed journals were selected for collecting published papers between 2018 and 2023. A total of 66 relevant articles (journal articles, conference articles, book sections, and review articles) were selected for evaluation and analysis. The purpose of the study is to present a systematic literature review (SLR) on how to solve this problem and organize the published research papers that answer our four research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Event sponsorship, as part of promotion, offers opportunities for brands to increase visibility through involvement in events that match the interests of the target audience. The method used in this research is quantitative method and will be analyzed with the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The target of this research is the audience of the Reality Club Concert which is presented in Jakarta sponsored by the Kapal Api brand. The sampling method is a non-probability sampling technique with a convenience sampling approach, then continued with a snowball sampling approach which is carried out by relying on personal contacts taken from the results of the previous approach, namely the results of convenience sampling. total respondents were 200 in this study. This study found that sponsor-event congruence significantly improved brand image and attitude toward sponsor, which in turn, improved purchase intention. In contrast, involvement and exposure to the sponsored event had no significant influence on attitude towards the sponsor. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that involvement and exposure to sponsored events do not have a significant effect on attitudes towards sponsors. However, sponsor-event congruence has a positive and significant influence on attitude towards the sponsor and brand image. In addition, brand image also has a positive and significant impact on attitude towards the sponsor. Finally, attitude towards sponsor and brand image have a positive and significant influence on purchase intention in the case study of Brand Kapal Api at Reality Club Concert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso (2020–23) presents a utopian vision of English football, which embodies both the positive and negative connotations inherent to utopian storytelling in entertainment and sports fiction more specifically. Using the example of a Premier League club, Ted Lasso presents an escapist and feel-good narrative, promoting values such as empathy, kindness and community to overcome personal challenges, something that was particularly valuable for many viewers during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, it neglects structural and institutional shortcomings in English football, such as sportswashing, racism and homophobia, while sharing financial interests with the Premier League and thus running the risk of absolving it of some of its shortcomings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical commentaries on the burgeoning industry of sports betting have focused on either its potential (i) to promote problem gambling or (ii) to encourage betting-related corruption. In this paper we explore a third and distinct line of inquiry according to which sports betting is of considerable moral concern insofar as it undermines the ideals of sport by transforming the manner and modes in which spectators engage with and value sports. Technological, cultural and legal changes have led to greater integration between many sporting leagues and gambling practices. Elite sport has long been commodified; however, we argue that such integration should be understood as a form of 'hypercommodification'. By analysing sports betting as a form of hyper-commodification, we argue that it may promote objectionable instrumental modes of regard towards sport among individual spectators and fans. We also argue that increasing integration between sports and gambling practices may undermine the social conditions required to express appropriate modes of valuation towards sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the fact this is already known over how sports spectators interpret sponsorship content, less is known about participants' sentiments toward sponsors, which are sometimes crucial to the survival of participation sporting events. Various researchers have examined at how spectators recognize or recall sponsors, but very few have explored it from the viewpoint of sport participants. This research portrays a shift in focus from spectator-based to participant-based marketing by studying the differences over how participants and spectators perceive sport sponsorship, recognizing the current knowledge gap regarding the process of sponsorship in participant-based sports. Sponsorship previous research has focused on the effectiveness of sport sponsorships utilizing variables such sponsor recognition, desire to sponsors' products and anticipated sponsorship advantages (Koronios and Dimitropoulos, 2020). The examination of sport sponsorship from the standpoint of the sport spectator is something that many of the past studies have in common. The application of past research analysing sport sponsorship from a distinct perspective: that of the sport participant, distinguishes the present study. In addition, the present study explores the distinctions in sponsorship effectiveness between spectators and participants, a topic which hasn't been addressed at before in sponsorship literature. Design/methodology/approach: This study depicts a move away from spectator-based to participant-based marketing, utilizing contemporary implicit physiological variables to measure participants' and spectators' awareness of and attitude toward sponsors, and it proposes a model of their purchase intentions toward real sponsors of a martial event. A total of 1,332 questionnaires were collected and analysed. Findings: Factors such as sport involvement, social media use, sincerity and beliefs of sponsorship were found to have a significant effect on purchase intention of spectators and participants. And crucial differences in the significance of various antecedent factors between spectators and participants were detected in the formation of positive purchase and word-of-mouth intentions. Originality/value: This paper gives prominence to contemporary methodological advances in the field of implicit social cognition and their relevance to sponsorship. This is the first sponsorship research which examines the effectiveness of sponsorship variables under the implicit–explicit variables dichotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]