The academic field of Sport Management: past, present and future

Abstract

The industry of sport currently has a big impact on our society, in areas as diverse as economics, mass media, health or politics. As a result of this new trend, a specific academic field, identified as ‘Sport Management’ has emerged in the past years. A study field that appears to have experienced a substantive growth over a short period of time. This paper has conducted a review on the relevant aspects that have shaped the identity of Sport Management as an academic field. For that purpose, documentary sources have been used as reference with a main focus in those produced by relevant authors of the Sport Management field, granting special attention to the theoretical construction of the field, its main academic journals, topics and research trends. The final reflections of this investigation show the main developments on this academic field, as well the broad opportunities that the Sport Management investigation field offers to develop an academic and/or professional career and to look into the future with optimism, as there is still a wide range of investigation areas to explore/develop under this theme.