ABSTRACT
Sports clubs are more open to innovation due to their flexible structure and connection to other organizations including government bodies and sports federations. However, it remains unclear how sports innovation is different to other types of innovation. This chapter aims to fill this research gap by investigating the process of open innovation in sport. The presence of innovation in sport has a positive effect on the industry depending on its magnitude and impact. Sports organizations that have the capacity to innovate can more quickly exploit new market opportunities. The implementation of ideas from external sources provides a way for sport organizations to utilize innovation developed for other usages but adapt it for the sports context. Innovation is a tool in sport as it enables the exploitation of change. In order to understand complex problems it helps to focus on the knowledge needed to solve the relevant issue.
