Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian context

Fans are not only loyal, but also powerful, and could therefore exert pressure on football club managers. This study examines the influence of fan-generated pressure on the economic and social sustainability outcomes of football clubs in Colombia, highlighting the role of active and non-active fan t...

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Main Authors: Juan Alejandro Hernández-Hernández, Abraham Londoño-Pineda, Robert Ng-Henao, Juan Lucas Macías-Franco, Jose Alejandro Cano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1541829/full
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author Juan Alejandro Hernández-Hernández
Abraham Londoño-Pineda
Robert Ng-Henao
Juan Lucas Macías-Franco
Jose Alejandro Cano
author_facet Juan Alejandro Hernández-Hernández
Abraham Londoño-Pineda
Robert Ng-Henao
Juan Lucas Macías-Franco
Jose Alejandro Cano
author_sort Juan Alejandro Hernández-Hernández
collection DOAJ
description Fans are not only loyal, but also powerful, and could therefore exert pressure on football club managers. This study examines the influence of fan-generated pressure on the economic and social sustainability outcomes of football clubs in Colombia, highlighting the role of active and non-active fan typologies. Using a conceptual framework rooted in stakeholder theory, we developed and tested a structural equation model (SEM) based on Colombian football fans. Results show that active fans, defined as direct or indirect followers, prioritize high-performing players and coaches and significantly influence economic outcomes through merchandising and broadcasting rights. Conversely, non-active fans, including passive and potential supporters, emphasize player stability and club goodwill. These findings highlight that fan pressure, shaped by sporting identity and performance expectations, serves as a critical lever for value co-creation and sustainability.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
spelling doaj-art-8dd72437cb9443dba5d0c23b8d36a7142025-08-20T01:54:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-04-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15418291541829Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian contextJuan Alejandro Hernández-HernándezAbraham Londoño-PinedaRobert Ng-HenaoJuan Lucas Macías-FrancoJose Alejandro CanoFans are not only loyal, but also powerful, and could therefore exert pressure on football club managers. This study examines the influence of fan-generated pressure on the economic and social sustainability outcomes of football clubs in Colombia, highlighting the role of active and non-active fan typologies. Using a conceptual framework rooted in stakeholder theory, we developed and tested a structural equation model (SEM) based on Colombian football fans. Results show that active fans, defined as direct or indirect followers, prioritize high-performing players and coaches and significantly influence economic outcomes through merchandising and broadcasting rights. Conversely, non-active fans, including passive and potential supporters, emphasize player stability and club goodwill. These findings highlight that fan pressure, shaped by sporting identity and performance expectations, serves as a critical lever for value co-creation and sustainability.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1541829/fullactives fansnon-active fansfan pressureseconomic and social outcomescocreation of valueColombian football
spellingShingle Juan Alejandro Hernández-Hernández
Abraham Londoño-Pineda
Robert Ng-Henao
Juan Lucas Macías-Franco
Jose Alejandro Cano
Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian context
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
actives fans
non-active fans
fan pressures
economic and social outcomes
cocreation of value
Colombian football
title Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian context
title_full Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian context
title_fullStr Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian context
title_full_unstemmed Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian context
title_short Balancing economic and social results in football clubs: evidence of fans’ perceptions in the Colombian context
title_sort balancing economic and social results in football clubs evidence of fans perceptions in the colombian context
topic actives fans
non-active fans
fan pressures
economic and social outcomes
cocreation of value
Colombian football
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1541829/full
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AT robertnghenao balancingeconomicandsocialresultsinfootballclubsevidenceoffansperceptionsinthecolombiancontext
AT juanlucasmaciasfranco balancingeconomicandsocialresultsinfootballclubsevidenceoffansperceptionsinthecolombiancontext
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