Analyzing and Modeling Financial Success of Iranian Premier League Football Clubs Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

Labbaf, Amir Hossein; Salimi, Mehdi; Soltan Hosseini, Mohammad

doi:10.22124/jsmd.2025.31215.3009

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

¹ Ph.D. Candidate in Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² Associate Professor in Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

³ Associated Professor in Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22124/jsmd.2025.31215.3009

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to present a model for the financial success of Iran's Premier League football clubs.
Methodology: The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative part was based on Grounded Theory with Charmaz's approach. The statistical population for the qualitative section consisted of senior managers of the Football Federation and the League Organization, CEOs of clubs, senior financial managers of clubs, and academic experts in sports management. Purposeful sampling was used along with the snowball method. A total of 18 interviews were conducted, concluding when theoretical saturation was reached. For the quantitative part, a questionnaire was designed based on the final findings from the qualitative section. The statistical sample for the quantitative section included 185 experts in sports management, financial management, financial experts of clubs, and members of the clubs' boards of directors, with available sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in SPSS and SmartPLS software.
Results: Revenue generation, upstream rules and regulations, technical conditions, managerial strategies, fan engagement system, requirements, and club resources, with impact coefficients of 0.240, 0.195, 0.183, 0.182, 0.179, 0.064, 0.050 respectively, are the most important factors contributing to the financial success of Premier League football clubs.
Conclusion: Achieving financial success for Premier League football clubs requires comprehensive attention to these factors and will enable clubs to reach their financial goals and secure a sustainable future. Clubs should evaluate their performance and adopt innovative approaches to move toward achieving financial goals and sustainable development.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Sport Economics, Marketing and Tourism

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Analyzing and Modeling Financial Success of Iranian Premier League Football Clubs Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

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Volume 15, Issue 4 - Serial Number 48Winter - 48December 2026Pages 65-90

Volume 15, Issue 4 - Serial Number 48
Winter - 48
December 2026
Pages 65-90