مطالعات بازاریابی ورزشی

Relationship marketing is considered an influential factor in changing customer purchasing behavior and plays an important role in the development of sport clubs' brand equity. This research aims to investigate the role of relationship marketing on brand equity with the mediating role of brand identification and brand experience in Isfahan fitness clubs during the year 2024. The study is applied in nature and was conducted using a survey method. The research instruments included standard questionnaires measuring relationship marketing, brand equity, brand identification, and brand experience. The reliability coefficients of the questionnaires were estimated at 0.82, 0.81, 0.86, and 0.74, respectively. The statistical population consisted of 384 customers of Isfahan fitness clubs. The findings revealed that relationship marketing had a significant impact on brand equity (β=0.33, t=6.94, p<0.01), brand identification (β=0.48, t=11.17, p<0.01), and brand experience (β=0.55, t=15.86, p<0.01). Additionally, brand identification (β=0.32, t=6.72, p<0.01) and brand experience (β=0.24, t=5.16, p<0.01) had a significant effect on brand equity. Since previous studies have mostly focused on the importance of relationship marketing in non-sport organizations, the present research underscores the importance of evaluating its effect on brand equity in sport clubs, considering the mediating role of brand identification and experience.

This study investigates the impact of brand symbolism on brand evangelism behavior among Persepolis Club evangelists in Mashhad during spring 2024. As an applied descriptive-correlational research, data were collected from 320 purposively sampled participants using standard questionnaires: Osmanova et al. (2023) for brand symbolism and Becerra and Badrinarayanan (2013) for brand evangelism. The reliability and validity of the instruments were confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha, internal consistency, composite reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity tests. Structural equation modeling (SEM) via LISREL was employed for data analysis. Results show that brand symbolism significantly affects brand evangelism and its components, including purchase intention (path coefficient = 0.45), positive word-of-mouth (0.30), and negative word-of-mouth against competitors (0.12). Purchase intention further influences positive (0.51) and negative word-of-mouth (0.45), while positive word-of-mouth also impacts negative word-of-mouth toward rival teams (0.27). These findings suggest that brand symbolism positively drives evangelism behaviors such as purchasing Persepolis products and promoting the club while discouraging competitor support. Based on these outcomes, it is recommended that Persepolis Club enhance its brand symbolism through targeted marketing strategies—such as exclusive fan events, social media engagement, and branded merchandise—to deepen fans’ emotional connection and strengthen brand evangelism. Such initiatives are likely to boost positive purchase intentions and supportive word-of-mouth, benefiting the club’s overall brand strength.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of brand association on the brand positioning of football clubs in the Iranian premier league with the mediating role of fan-team identification. The present study is a descriptive and correlational study that has been conducted in the field. The research population of the study included football fans of popular football clubs in the Iranian premier league. Based on the formula for the SEM approach , 208 fans were selected through purposive sampling. Brand association, brand positioning, as well as fan-team identification Questionnaire, were used to collect data. The validity of the tool was calculated and confirmed based on content and structural validity, and the reliability was assessed according to Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability. Structural equation modeling via PLS was used to test the research hypotheses. The results showed that brand association had a significant effect on both brand positioning (β= 0.23) and fan-team identification (β= 0.31). The results also confirmed the positive and significant effect of fan-team identification on the brand positioning of football clubs in the Iranian premier league (β= 0.29). Moreover, based on the Sobel test, brand association through fan-team identification was effective on the brand positioning. The value of the GOF also indicated the proper fitness of the research model. This study is one of the few types of research that combines and examines brand associations, fan-team identification, and brand positioning through a comprehensive model in the field of Iranian sports.

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the modification of hesitant customers’ mental models in sports clubs. The research employed a qualitative approach, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data were collected through interviews, and the study's validity and reliability were confirmed based on the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. In total, 13 interviews were conducted with experts, including university professors, managers, and coaches of sports clubs, continuing until theoretical saturation and data adequacy were achieved. The collected data were then analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed 56 basic themes, which were organized into 14 structured themes and 5 overarching themes. The structured themes included specialized knowledge, adaptation, synergy, environmental management, customer management, task organization, customer acquisition, communication and follow-up, accountability, design and development, quality enhancement, neuromarketing, mental model recognition, and advertising. The overarching themes encompassed expertise, management, communication, services, and marketing. To modify the mental models of hesitant sports club customers, it is essential to focus on the identified indicators, thereby creating conditions that encourage these customers to engage with sports clubs.

The distinctive characteristics of sportswear underscore the critical importance of product quality in this sector, where purchasing decisions are often influenced by brand reputation and perceived quality. Sports products are not only essential for athletic activities but are also increasingly integrated into daily wear and leisure attire. This study examines the impact of sports product quality and retail service quality on brand preference and purchase intention, with a focus on the mediating roles of perceived value and brand equity. Using a descriptive-survey approach and structural equation modeling, the research targeted customers of prominent domestic and international sports brands in Iran. Given the unlimited population size, a sample of 384 was determined based on the Krejcie and Morgan table; ultimately, 370 completed questionnaires were analyzed. Data were collected using validated scales: perceived value (Ebrahimi et al., 2014), brand equity (Boyle et al., 2013), purchase intention and brand preference (Chang & Liu, 2009), and product and service quality adapted from Ebrahimi et al. (2009) and Ismailpour and Goldouzi (2013). The structural equation analysis revealed that both product and service quality directly affect purchase intention and also exert influence through the mediating role of brand equity. Furthermore, brand equity mediated the relationship between quality dimensions and brand preference. These findings suggest that enhancing perceived quality—through factors such as durability, functionality, product design, and after-sales service, supported by strategic communication—can strengthen brand preference and maximize purchase intention among consumers.

The current research aimed to develop a freelancing model in Iran's sports industry. This study is applied in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of methodology. The statistical population consisted of experts in entrepreneurship, management, and sports management. A purposive snowball sampling method was used, and 19 participants were selected based on theoretical saturation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach and Glaser's emergent method. Coding was performed in two stages and three steps: actual coding (open and selective coding) and theoretical coding, through which the research components were identified. In total, 160 codes and 41 categories were extracted across 10 dimensions at three levels: macro, meso, and micro. The findings indicate that at the macro level, cultural, political, social, economic, and legal factors are influential; at the meso level, educational, technological, and media factors play a role; and at the micro level, behavioral and psychological factors are significant. Given the unemployment rate among graduates of sports science and physical education, it is recommended that managers and policymakers take coordinated steps to leverage freelancing capacities to improve employment and entrepreneurship in the country's sports sector.

This research was conducted with the aim of presenting the Islamic marketing framework with the fuzzy Delphi approach in the consumers of sports goods in the virtual space. In terms of the objective, the present research was qualitative-exploratory and its analysis method was the fuzzy Delphi technique. The statistical population of this research included 14 professors of sports management, market evaluation, and researchers in this field, and a targeted sampling method was used. The main tool of data collection in the research was fuzzy Delphi questionnaire. Also, the current research method was carried out in 5 steps. The results of the research showed that 5 factors 1. Islamic mix (Islamic production, public benefit,  ethical product, product quality), 2. Sales (sufficient information to the customer About the goods and services of the transaction, respecting the customer and observing kindness, the need to pay attention to the satisfaction of the parties and to pay attention to the needs and desires of the customers, confronting the customer, being complacent in the sale and taking back the goods after the transaction if necessary, making the customers aware of the losses. possibility and side effects of the product, provision of skills, support, improvement of the environment), 3. Marketing planning ( legal framework, Islamic promotion and promotion, religious personality), 4. Islamic propaganda (honesty, abstinence) from false advertisements and slogans, educating customers, not hiding the defects of the product) and 5. Confronting the customer (denying betrayal to competitors and not trying to Bankrupting them, complying with ethical frameworks, not presenting false effects to attract customers from other competitors) are among the factors of the Islamic marketing framework in Consumers of sports goods in a virtual way with a fuzzy Delphi approach.