Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football Clubs
This study examines the expectations of football fans toward Persian Gulf Pro League clubs through a qualitative approach based on descriptive phenomenology, aiming to explore the lived experiences and implicit demands of supporters as emotionally invested stakeholders, beyond traditional metrics. S...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Isfahan
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Archives in Sport Management and Leadership |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_29682_6526e6da86a04dadd5e6d9a5675f70fb.pdf |
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| _version_ | 1849736217035276288 |
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| author | Mehrdad Moharramzadeh Mohammad Zare Abandansari Abolfazl Arij |
| author_facet | Mehrdad Moharramzadeh Mohammad Zare Abandansari Abolfazl Arij |
| author_sort | Mehrdad Moharramzadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the expectations of football fans toward Persian Gulf Pro League clubs through a qualitative approach based on descriptive phenomenology, aiming to explore the lived experiences and implicit demands of supporters as emotionally invested stakeholders, beyond traditional metrics. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 24 participants, including university faculty, sports media professionals, club executives, coaches, players, and fans. Purposeful and snowball sampling were employed, and data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method via MAXQDA. To ensure the rigor and trustworthiness of the study, the four established criteria for qualitative research credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were rigorously applied. The findings of this study revealed that fan expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League football clubs revolve around five core dimensions: transfer activities, on-field performance, infrastructure, fan engagement, and managerial practices. Supporters emphasized the need for timely and transparent player acquisitions, consistent team success, modern and accessible stadium facilities, respectful communication, and strategic leadership with vision. These expectations reflect a shift from passive fandom to active stakeholder participation, highlighting the emotional, symbolic, and operational roles fans play in the football ecosystem. The study concludes that addressing these multidimensional expectations is essential for building institutional legitimacy and sustaining fan loyalty. Clubs must move beyond match-day results and adopt integrative strategies that align organizational behavior with the cultural and psychological needs of supporters. Embedding participatory governance, technological modernization, and inclusive values can transform football clubs into resilient, community anchored institutions in Iran’s evolving sport landscape. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4292631040c14388b558d8d8fc2574ac |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2981-0523 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | University of Isfahan |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives in Sport Management and Leadership |
| spelling | doaj-art-4292631040c14388b558d8d8fc2574ac2025-08-20T03:07:20ZengUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05232025-08-01319510710.22108/asml.2025.145018.107829682Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football ClubsMehrdad Moharramzadeh0Mohammad Zare Abandansari1Abolfazl Arij2Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, IranThis study examines the expectations of football fans toward Persian Gulf Pro League clubs through a qualitative approach based on descriptive phenomenology, aiming to explore the lived experiences and implicit demands of supporters as emotionally invested stakeholders, beyond traditional metrics. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 24 participants, including university faculty, sports media professionals, club executives, coaches, players, and fans. Purposeful and snowball sampling were employed, and data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method via MAXQDA. To ensure the rigor and trustworthiness of the study, the four established criteria for qualitative research credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were rigorously applied. The findings of this study revealed that fan expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League football clubs revolve around five core dimensions: transfer activities, on-field performance, infrastructure, fan engagement, and managerial practices. Supporters emphasized the need for timely and transparent player acquisitions, consistent team success, modern and accessible stadium facilities, respectful communication, and strategic leadership with vision. These expectations reflect a shift from passive fandom to active stakeholder participation, highlighting the emotional, symbolic, and operational roles fans play in the football ecosystem. The study concludes that addressing these multidimensional expectations is essential for building institutional legitimacy and sustaining fan loyalty. Clubs must move beyond match-day results and adopt integrative strategies that align organizational behavior with the cultural and psychological needs of supporters. Embedding participatory governance, technological modernization, and inclusive values can transform football clubs into resilient, community anchored institutions in Iran’s evolving sport landscape.https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_29682_6526e6da86a04dadd5e6d9a5675f70fb.pdfperformancefansmanagementtransfer |
| spellingShingle | Mehrdad Moharramzadeh Mohammad Zare Abandansari Abolfazl Arij Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football Clubs Archives in Sport Management and Leadership performance fans management transfer |
| title | Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football Clubs |
| title_full | Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football Clubs |
| title_fullStr | Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football Clubs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football Clubs |
| title_short | Qualitative Analysis of Fan Expectations from Persian Gulf Pro League Football Clubs |
| title_sort | qualitative analysis of fan expectations from persian gulf pro league football clubs |
| topic | performance fans management transfer |
| url | https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_29682_6526e6da86a04dadd5e6d9a5675f70fb.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mehrdadmoharramzadeh qualitativeanalysisoffanexpectationsfrompersiangulfproleaguefootballclubs AT mohammadzareabandansari qualitativeanalysisoffanexpectationsfrompersiangulfproleaguefootballclubs AT abolfazlarij qualitativeanalysisoffanexpectationsfrompersiangulfproleaguefootballclubs |