Global Investment and Cultural Traditions

Abstract

This chapter examines football in Europe as a highly commercialized and mediatized sport, which has also become a media ‘product’ and part of a global entertainment industry. However, the chapter argues that football and football fandom also have deep cultural roots in communities and families, which provide important social networks built on cultural traditions, values, and practices. These are often placed in conflict with, and at risk by, global commercial interests. Focusing on the issues of ownership and governance this research aims to investigate the social and ethical questions raised by the changing nature of professional football club ownership and commercial interests on the long-established cultural heritage of such clubs, their supporters, and values. In so doing, it also seeks to set out an agenda for future research in this area of growing political and economic importance.