nep-spo New Economics Papers
on Sports and Economics
Issue of 2026–03–16
three papers chosen by
Humberto Barreto, DePauw University


  1. Diplomatie sportive, image nationale et développement économique : cadres théoriques et controverses contemporaines Sports Diplomacy, National Image and Economic Development: Theoretical Frameworks and Contemporary Debates By Ghita El Hanche; Tahar El Qour
  2. "United in Victory, Divided in Defeat? Football Performance, Team Diversity, and Immigration Attitudes in Europe" By Gauthier Fontanive; Emma Thill;
  3. Chinese Owners in European Football: New Money, New Mistakes? By Guanie Lim; Allan Nylander

  1. By: Ghita El Hanche (ENCGT - École Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion de Tanger, UPN - Université Paris Nanterre); Tahar El Qour (ENCGT - École Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion de Tanger)
    Abstract: Déclaration de divulgation : L'auteur n'a pas connaissance de quelconque financement qui pourrait affecter l'objectivité de cette étude.
    Keywords: image-pays, nation branding, mégaévénements sportifs, Maroc sports diplomacy, national image, mega-sporting events, Morocco, soft power, diplomatie sportive, diplomatie sportive soft power image-pays nation branding mégaévénements sportifs Maroc sports diplomacy soft power national image nation branding mega-sporting events Morocco
    Date: 2026–03–01
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05536970
  2. By: Gauthier Fontanive (DEM, Université du Luxembourg); Emma Thill (DEM, Université du Luxembourg);
    Abstract: "We study how shared experiences that make immigration salient impact public attitudes toward immigration. Combining 11 waves of the European Social Survey (2002-2023) with data on European national football team performance in major international competitions and team diversity, we exploit quasi-random variation in match timing relative to survey interviews to identify shifts in immigration attitudes. We develop two measures of diversity: a surname-based ancestry index and a racial classification based on visible markers using machine learning tools. We find that following defeats, respondents in countries with a more diverse national team perceive immigrants to have a worse impact on their country. Victories, in contrast, lead to higher desired levels of immigration. These effects are strongest following unexpected or close defeats and victories. In addition, defeats tend to boost support for far-right parties when team diversity is high. Our results are robust to alternative specifications in the case of defeats, suggesting a scapegoating mechanism that is translated from (perceived) out-group players onto the out-group as a whole. Our findings showcase that shared experiences such as international sporting competitions that make diversity salient generate strong emotional responses that may translate into temporary important attitude and preference shifts towards diversity."
    Keywords: Immigration attitudes, Football, Diversity, Migration
    JEL: F22 J15 O15 O52 Z20
    Date: 2026
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:luc:wpaper:26-05
  3. By: Guanie Lim (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo, Japan); Allan Nylander (Independent Analyst, Sweden)
    Abstract: This paper examines the rise, struggle, and evolving trajectory of Chinese ownership in European football. The analysis is situated within broader debates on late development, outward foreign direct investment, and the political economy of global sport. Through comparative analysis, the paper distinguishes between less successful cases and more sustainable ones, highlighting the institutional, financial, and political constraints that shaped these divergent outcomes. It also discusses the likely fate of Chinese owners in an era of extreme financialization and specialization, in addition to suggesting implications for future studies.
    Keywords: Football, Foreign Direct Investment, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Economic Development, Europe, China
    Date: 2026–02
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ngi:dpaper:25-13

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