The Geopolitical Economy of Sport: Power, Politics, Money, and the State

The geopolitical economy of sport is the intersection of power, politics, money, and state interests that exploit and shape elite sport around the world. This book explores this new economy, including how countries use natural resource revenues, accusations of sport washing, and the deployment of sport for soft power purposes. It also looks at how sport has become a focus for industrial development and how the US continues to extend its economic and cultural influence through geopolitical sport activities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The geopolitical economy of sport is a complex and multifaceted field that examines the intersection of power, politics, money, and state interests in the world of elite sports. It explores how these interests exploit and shape elite sport, as well as how they are shaped by it. The recent events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the global response to it, have brought the geopolitical economy of sport to the forefront of public debate and academic thinking.

The Winter Olympics in Beijing and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar serve as examples of the political, economic, and geographic imperatives that shape modern sport. These events showcase the ways in which countries use natural resource revenues, accusations of sport washing, and the deployment of sport for soft power purposes to shape the geopolitical landscape of sport.

This book brings together studies from around the world to provide a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical economy of sport. It explores various aspects of this field, including how countries use natural resource revenues to support their sports industries, the issue of sport washing and its implications, and the use of sport for soft power purposes. The book also examines how sport has become a focus for industrial development, with countries using it to attract investment, promote tourism, and build national brands.

The geopolitical economy of sport extends beyond national borders, with interests of Gulf States in European soccer, Israel seeking to build a national competitive advantage by positioning itself as a global sports tech start-up hub, and the United States continuing to extend its economic and cultural influence through geopolitical sport activities in Africa, Latin America, and the Indian subcontinent.

This book captures a pivotal moment in the history of sport and sport business. It is essential reading for any student, researcher, practitioner, or policymaker with an interest in sport business, the politics of sport, geopolitics, soft power, diplomacy, international relations, or international political economy. The insights provided in this book will help us better understand the complex dynamics that shape the world of elite sports and their impact on global politics and society.

Weight: 750g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032390611