ABSTRACT
Initially, football was predominantly a socio-cultural phenomenon in the way that it drew people and communities together under a common identity. The influence of North American capitalism began to exert its influence such that, by the end of the twentieth century, the likes of television rights, sponsorships, and club ownership began to fundamentally change the nature and organisation of the sport. Rapid societal and technological changes mean that the sport has serious competition for its dominance of the sport, leisure and entertainment narratives. The lifeblood of the sport – players and fans – continue to occupy a prominent position in football’s landscape. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
