Sponsorship in Beach Volleyball: effects of event quality, spectator satisfaction and brand experience on brand equity

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of event quality, spectator satisfaction and experience on brand equity of the sponsor in a sport event. In order to carry out this study, 352 spectators that attended the Banco do Brasil (Bank of Brazil) Circuit of Beach Volleyball answered a closed questionnaire. For data analysis, it is used the structural equation modeling. The results indicated that the quality of the event generates satisfaction, which confi rms increases the brand equity of the event sponsor. In addition, the spectators’ experience with the sponsoring brand also confirms the positive impact on brand equity. The quality of the event, the satisfaction of the spectators with the event and their sponsor's brand experience are elements that, if well managed and explored, contribute positively to sponsors’ brand equity. These strategies should be aimed both by sports managers, as a way to attract and retain sponsors, and by sponsors’ brand managers, as a way to get return on investment. For this purpose, the sport managers and sponsors should undertake a planning together to offer a high-quality event enabling an environment that provides spectators’ satisfaction and a positive experience with the sponsor brand. In theoretical terms, this research brought greater knowledge about the return of investments made by companies on sport sponsorship, and, the use of statistical methods in this study can be replicated, adjusted or even enhanced in future researches that investigate the theme sport events and their sponsors.