Sports Economics in Spatial Planning and Policy: A Comparative Study of Developed and Developing Nations

This analysis explores the multifaceted role of sports within spatial planning and policy frameworks, spotlighting its critical economic implications. In many industrialized nations, the sports sector has matured into a prominent component of the economy, contributing around two percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). This transformation underscores the capacity of sports to serve as a key economic driver, benefiting from targeted investments and sectoral policies designed to leverage its influence on job creation, value addition, and interconnected market dynamics. Developed nations have, thus, integrated sports as a means of enhancing macroeconomic stability by focusing on metrics like gross value added, employment growth, and economic multipliers, while nurturing the growth of intra-sectoral industries like sports-related goods, services, and activities.

In European Union countries, studies reveal a substantial value-added return on sports investments across various levels, underscoring sports' significance to their economic framework. Particularly in smaller economies reliant on tourism, the sports sector fuels economic activity, generating employment and stimulating demand for supplementary services. Notably, the sports sector boasts one of the highest economic multipliers after the construction and tourism industries, illustrating its ability to link with other sectors, fostering economic synergy, and enhancing growth across a nation’s economic landscape.

For a robust sports economy, intra-sectoral investments are essential, focusing on decreasing dependency on imports and bolstering domestic production. This approach not only raises value-added metrics but also amplifies employment opportunities, wage levels, and overall economic contributions. Effective management of sports infrastructure—from recreational facilities to elite sports complexes—at both community and professional levels is crucial to maximizing productivity and economic yield within the sector.

Yet, challenges persist in developing countries where governance structures in sports often lack sufficient stakeholder integration and streamlined decision-making processes. Without cohesive policies, the potential of sports to act as an economic asset remains underutilized. Developing transparent governance structures, fostering inter-organizational collaboration, and aligning policy implementation with national development goals can significantly bolster the sports sector’s role in promoting inclusive economic progress and societal development. I undertook this research to examine how sports policy and governance intersect with spatial planning, economic advancement, and social enrichment, aiming to foster resilience, drive growth, and create pathways for sustained development through strategic sports investment. I undertook this research to examine how sports policy and governance intersect with spatial planning, economic advancement, and social enrichment, aiming to foster resilience, drive growth, and create pathways for sustained development through strategic sports investment.

Performance Management Model: A Comparative Analysis of Olympic and Professional Sports and University Sports in the United States and Russia
(This model for the United States is developed through a comparative analysis with the model provided for Russia).
The diagram has been adopted and modified based on the work of:
Smith, J., & Smolianov, P. (2020). The High Performance Management Model: From Olympic and Professional to University Sport in the United States. The Sport Journal, 41(2).
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Comparative Analysis of Sports Governance Models: Government Support and Structural Hierarchies in Japan, Germany, England, and Russia.

The diagrams have been adopted and modified based on the works of:
Breedveld, K., Hoekman, R. (2017). The Netherlands: How the Interplay Between Federations and Government Helps to Build a Sporting Nation. In: Scheerder, J., Willem, A., Claes, E. (eds) Sport Policy Systems and Sport Federations. Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Girginov, V. (2017). UK: England — National Governing Bodies of Sport and Government Agencies. In: Scheerder, J., Willem, A., Claes, E. (eds) Sport Policy Systems and Sport Federations. Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Petry, K., Hallmann, K. (2013). Germany. In: Hallmann, K., Petry, K. (eds) Comparative Sport Development. Sports Economics, Management and Policy, vol 8. Springer, New York, NY.

Sasakawa Sports Foundation. (2023). Sport White Paper 2023: Analysis of Trends in Japan’s Sports Sector.