The impact of a new women's professional sport league on pre-existing sport organisations: a modified, integrative approach to examining change

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the process of change in existing professional sport organisations as they initiate a women's team.Design/methodology/approachThree Australian Football League clubs with licenses for professional women's teams were examined, with semi-structured interviews held with three key department managers from each club.FindingsThe findings suggest organisations adopt either a community-focused or commercially focused approach, the selection of which is a response to the interplay of institutional pressures (e.g. league demands), resource demands (e.g. human and financial) and the strategic choices of a few, key “idea champions”.Originality/valueThis study provides insight into the approach change taken by clubs as they introduce a women's team into their existing organisational structure.