ABSTRACT
China’s, Russia’s, Qatar’s and, most recently, Saudi Arabia’s differing strategies for and through sport symbolise the end of the West’s hyper-dominance of international sports governance, major sports events and these events’ business models. In a world riven by crises (environmental, economic, geopolitical, etc.), Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy raises questions about the (geo)political, economic and ethical regulation of international sport within an increasingly integrated global sport and entertainment industry run by an increasingly complex and financialised set of actors. Traditional distinctions between non-profit federations and commercial entities are blurring as organisations adopt hybrid models to balance financial objectives with societal goals. Cooperation and competition intertwine in international sports organisations’ attempts to navigate complex sports ecosystems in confrontation with the globalisation of the sport business. The following chapters explore these themes by examining the governance, regulation and management of international sports organisations within the context of evolving geopolitical, economic and ethical landscapes.
