The Business of Women's Football

This book provides a critical and timely examination of the commercial and organisational evolution of the women’s football industry. It is intended for academics, students, and industry professionals engaged in sport management, sport business, and gender studies.

This book provides a critical and timely examination of the commercial and organisational evolution of the women’s game. As the sport transitions from marginalisation to mainstream recognition, it explores how governance, investment, media, and market forces are shaping a rapidly expanding global industry. It highlights the strategic complexities and unique opportunities within the women’s football ecosystem. Structured across five thematically linked chapters, the book offers an in-depth analysis of the women’s football industry, grounded in contemporary case studies and international comparisons. Topics include historical and institutional development, governance and regulatory frameworks, ownership and investment models, revenue generation, marketing strategies, and future growth trajectories. The text critically assesses the unique commercial challenges and opportunities in women’s football, drawing upon examples from leading clubs and governing bodies across Europe, North America, and emerging markets. The author combines academic research with practical insights, providing a holistic understanding of how the business of women’s football is evolving. This book is intended for academics, students, and industry professionals engaged in sport management, sport business, and gender studies. It is particularly valuable to those exploring the intersections of sport, gender equity, and global commercial development in a rapidly professionalising sector. Support materials for this book include fifty-one lessons and five teaching packs, aligned to Bloom's Taxonomy levels L4, L5, and L6, containing numerous questions, quizzes, and activities across all chapters, which will be suitable for classroom use to bring the content to life and educate future sporting professionals of the history and transformation of women’s football.