Management is not a Game: The Effects of Strategy and Structural Changes in the Competitiveness of Football Clubs

Abstract

This article analyzes the use of strategy, structure and professionalization to improve the long-term competitiveness of sport organizations. The case study contemplates two of the top ten Brazilian football clubs using qualitative data from 21 interviews with their upper management, and a documentary research of secondary data. The results indicate that similar structural changes and professionalization processes have different implications for the clubs, with distinct contributions to their growth and competitiveness. The research presents evidence that both the formulation of the strategy and the way it is implemented are determinant in conciliating sports and financial objectives with the responses to internal and external contingencies, implementing organizational changes to benefit the performance of the club on-field and off-field.