‘We are going to the right direction… but we are not in ideal world yet’: understanding gender (in)equality within leadership positions in Nordic football governance

Abstract

The importance of gender equality and equity in sports is highlighted not only in practice but also in research; however, previous research has often treated sports as a single context and has disregarded game-specific differences and characteristics. This research addresses this gap by building on a multi-level framework and utilizing a case study approach to increase understanding of why women in leadership positions (employed staff) are underrepresented in the sport of football (soccer) in two Nordic countries, Finland and Norway. The findings show that regardless of the general good state of gender equality in the Nordic countries and even if major barriers have been removed, women aiming for leadership positions face structural and cultural bottlenecks that hinder their possibilities in Nordic football. In addition, this article identifies factors that have improved gender equality in case organizations and suggests new means to address inequality.