Theory in Sport Management

Theory in Sport Management: Insights and Applications aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for understanding, applying, evaluating, and developing theory in sport management. Recognizing theory as the foundation of scholarly inquiry, evidence-based practice, and effective teaching, the book provides readers with the theoretical foundations and practical guidance needed to engage with theory more effectively. Designed for students, scholars, educators, and practitioners, the book brings together 45 chapters authored by leading sport management scholars from around the world. Each chapter examines a major theory through a consistent structure that includes an overview of the theory, its application across disciplines, its use within sport management, and recommendations for future research and practice. The Recommendation section that concludes each chapter serves as a practical guide for readers seeking the theory most relevant to their work, pointing toward typical applications and promising directions while presenting each theory in its full nuance by the contributor who knows it best. The book demonstrates how theory can be used to explain sport phenomena, guide research, inform teaching, support decision-making, advance scholarship, and shape future developments in the field. As one of the most comprehensive theory-focused volumes in sport management, this edited collection offers an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand and leverage theory in sport.