Football’s similarities and differences compared with other industries

Sport, especially football, is the favorite leisure activity for a large number of people in Europe. This has turned the sports industry into an increasingly important economic industry. Despite the challenging global economic environment, the European football market grew to €15.7 billion in 2008–09 (Deloitte and Touche, 2010). The growing commercialization of sport calls for a professionalization of the football clubs. Due to this development and increasing competitiveness in the national leagues of football clubs, demand for the efficient use of resources within a football club is becoming increasingly relevant.