Constraints in sport engagement

Abstract

This chapter is focused on the barriers that can prevent consumers from engaging with sports. The factors that constrain people from being fans of sport, or participants in sport, are outlined and their impact is explained. A model of leisure constraints is presented and applied to sports contexts such as spectatorship, participation, and tourism. Of course, these barriers can be overcome by properly motivated people, and so the chapter also covers how people respond when faced with barriers that hinder them behaving the way they might want. The chapter concludes by considering how groups that are often disenfranchised from sport fandom or participation, such as people with disabilities, the elderly, women and the gender diverse, might be engaged with better by sports organizations.