Comparative Study of Ownership Structures, Governance Models and Their Impact on Competitiveness within the Top 5 European Football Leagues

Abstract

This study investigates the associations between ownership structures, governance models and competitiveness within an increasingly commercialised European Football market. It adopts a theoretical base and an institutional lens while addressing the limitations prevalent in already existent literature. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study conducts an assessment of the vast literature and quantitatively analyses ownership typologies, investing behaviour and competitiveness via yearly UEFA coefficients and the Herfindahl Index of Competitive Balance (HICB). The findings suggest that ownership structures influence financial behaviour while competitiveness is dictated by entrenched structural aspects such as the ‘open’ nature of European leagues, regulations and club-level dynamics, shaping the degree to which ownership impacts sporting performances.