Financial Sustainability Components for Iranian Premier League Football Clubs: A Mixed-Methods Approach with Emphasis on the Analytic Hierarchy Process

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Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to formulate and prioritize the components of financial sustainability for Iranian Premier League football clubs. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. In the qualitative phase, the study employs grounded theory using Charmaz’s constructivist approach. The research population for the qualitative part included senior managers of the Football Federation and the Pro League Organization, club CEOs, senior financial managers of clubs, and expert professors in sports management. A purposive and snowball sampling method was used. The interviews were concluded after 18 interviews, when theoretical saturation was reached. In the quantitative section, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was utilized with the opinions of 12 experts to weigh and prioritize the identified factors. The final results from the qualitative and quantitative sections showed that management strategies, revenue generation, upstream laws and conditions, fan system, technical conditions, club resources, and requirements were the most important factors for the financial sustainability of Premier League football clubs, with weights of 0.252, 0.194, 0.165, 0.144, 0.121, 0.068, and 0.056, respectively. The financial sustainability of Premier League football clubs requires comprehensive attention to the aforementioned factors. The interaction of various factors and the continuous improvement of each will lead to the achievement of clubs' financial goals and bring about a sustainable future for them. Clubs should evaluate their performance and, by adopting innovative approaches, take steps toward realizing their financial goals and sustainable development.

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Journal of New Studies in Sport Management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 January 2026

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