Sports ecosystem refers to the network of interconnected actors—ranging from fans, sports clubs, players, media, and sponsors to governing bodies and facilities—that collectively drive value creation, sustainability, and growth in the sports industry. The concept of an ecosystem, originally derived from biology, has evolved to describe complex business networks where different entities cooperate, compete, and interact to generate value. In sports, this ecosystem brings together competing and collaborating stakeholders, co-creating value at various levels. This Wiki Page is based on findings in article Sports Ecosystem v0.1: Key Sports Entities Uncovered.
Defining the Sports Ecosystem
The term sports ecosystem refers to the interconnected system of actors within the sports industry. Each entity in the ecosystem plays a vital role in shaping the industry’s dynamics, driving engagement, and contributing to value creation. The keystone entity, identified as fans, lies at the center of the sports ecosystem, fueling its growth through engagement, media consumption, and revenue generation. All other entities in the ecosystem, such as media, sports clubs, players, and sponsors, depend on this keystone entity for alignment, growth, and the creation of mutual value.
Structured Sequence of Mapping the Sports Ecosystem
To map the sports ecosystem and its entities effectively, the process should follow a structured sequence:
- Keystone Entity: The central actor around which the sports ecosystem revolves, ensuring alignment, growth, and value generation. In the sports ecosystem, this role is played by fans, whose engagement and loyalty are critical for the success of all other entities (Iansiti & Levien, 2004).
- Other Actors/Entities: These include teams, players, sponsors, media, fans, and event organizers. These entities depend on the keystone entity (fans) for structural alignment within the ecosystem, cooperating and competing based on the guidance provided by this central entity.
- Ecosystem Goals: The goals of the ecosystem operate across three levels:
- Micro Level: Focuses on individual players or teams. These goals often relate to performance, growth, and personal achievements.
- Meso Level: Pertains to sports leagues or event organizers, which aim to manage competitions, improve viewership, and increase engagement.
- Macro Level: Encompasses the global sports industry, fan bases, and media networks. This level focuses on broad goals such as increasing global fan engagement, promoting social responsibility, and maintaining financial sustainability across the sports ecosystem. The keystone entity, fans, is crucial in setting and evolving these goals, directing the ecosystem toward a unified purpose.
- Activities: Actions or processes undertaken by actors to create value. The keystone entity ensures that these activities align with the ecosystem’s goals. For example, media engagement, sponsorship deals, and event organization all play a role in sustaining the ecosystem’s value.
- Positions: The roles or places that entities occupy within the ecosystem based on their activities and relationships. The keystone entity influences these positions, maximizing each actor’s contribution, whether through player performances or sponsor investments.
- Links: The exchanges and interactions between entities. These interactions are what allow the ecosystem to function smoothly, with media outlets broadcasting events and fans engaging with the content, thus creating value for teams and sponsors.
- Interdependencies: The relationships between entities, marked by cooperation, competition (coopetition), predation, and parasitism, which enable value co-creation and sustain the ecosystem. The keystone entity, fans, plays a critical role in managing these interdependencies, balancing cooperation and competition to ensure sustainability.
- Boundaries: The geographical, organizational, or competitive limits that define the ecosystem’s scope. The keystone entity, fans, shapes these boundaries, determining the ecosystem’s reach and which entities are involved. For instance, global events like the FIFA World Cup or Super Bowl expand the ecosystem’s boundaries and impact.
- Value Creation & Capture: The generation, distribution, and retention of value within the ecosystem. The keystone entity, fans, guides this process by driving revenue streams (e.g., ticket sales, media rights) and ensuring the equitable distribution of value across entities such as players, sponsors, and media.
Ecosystem Viewing Angles
While ecosystems can be viewed from different angles—such as an economic, social, or environmental perspective—this blog focuses on the media angle, as we believe media plays a pivotal role in driving the growth of the ecosystem. Media amplifies the visibility of athletes, teams, and events, creating narratives that drive engagement and attracting global audiences. The Hypegenic Meter and its evaluation of athletes’ media appeal highlights the significant role of media in shaping the sports ecosystem.
Key Components of the Sports Ecosystem
For a deeper analysis of Sports Entities, check the dedicated Wiki Page.
- Keystone Entity: Fans
Other Entities in the Ecosystem:
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- Sports Clubs;
- Athletes;
- Sponsors;
- Leagues;
- Agents;
- Athletes’ Support Groups;
- Goods and Service Providers;
- Facilities;
- Governing Bodies;
- Philanthropic Foundations;
- Betting Platforms.
Interdependencies and Value Creation
Each entity in the sports ecosystem relies on others for its success. For instance, media provides the exposure needed for sports clubs and players to gain recognition, while sponsors support these entities financially in return for visibility. This dynamic of coopetition, where stakeholders cooperate and compete simultaneously, is essential for maintaining the flow of value within the ecosystem. The Hypegenic Meter and its analysis of athletes’ ability to generate excitement are key to understanding how certain players create disproportionate value for the ecosystem.
Ecosystem Model by Play of Values
In November 2024, Paulius Bakanauskas presented his initial model of the Sports Ecosystem, drawing upon existing ecosystem definitions, sports ecosystem models, and analyses of sports entities provided by other researchers.
Conclusion
The sports ecosystem is a complex network of interconnected entities that cooperate and compete to create value. At its heart, fans drive the ecosystem, with each other entity—from sports clubs and players to media and sponsors—relying on fan engagement and loyalty for success. The dynamic relationships and interactions between these entities help to create the global phenomenon that is modern sports.
Questions Related to the Sports Ecosystem
What is an ecosystem in sports?
An ecosystem in sports refers to the interconnected network of sports entities, which are: fans, media, players, clubs, agents, service providers, governing bodies, leagues, athletes’ support groups, sponsors, facilities and betting platforms that collectively influence the functioning, growth, and sustainability of sports activities at all levels—from grassroots to professional.
What are examples of sports environments?
Examples of sports environments include stadiums, community sports centers, training facilities, and virtual sports platforms. These environments can be physical (like a basketball court) or digital (like esports arenas) and cater to a range of participants and audiences.
What is a good sports environment?
A good sports environment fosters inclusivity, safety, and engagement while promoting fair play and teamwork. It should provide supportive resources, skilled coaching, and facilities that encourage participation and development at all levels.
What is sports diversity?
Sports diversity refers to the inclusion and representation of people from various backgrounds, genders, abilities, and cultures in sports. It aims to create equitable opportunities for everyone to participate and thrive in sporting activities.
What is sport ecology?
Sport ecology studies the relationship between sports and the natural environment, focusing on how sports impact ecosystems and how ecological principles can be applied to make sports more sustainable.
What is a sporting environment?
A sporting environment is the physical, social, and cultural setting in which sports are played. This includes everything from the physical space (like fields and courts) to the atmosphere created by players, fans, and organizers.
What is a safe sport environment?
A safe sport environment ensures physical, emotional, and psychological safety for all participants. This includes well-maintained facilities, zero tolerance for abuse or harassment, and policies that promote fairness and equality.
How can the environment affect sport?
The environment affects sport in several ways, including weather conditions, availability of resources, and the quality of infrastructure. For example, extreme heat or poor air quality can hinder athletic performance, while state-of-the-art facilities can enhance it.
What is sport culture?
Sport culture encompasses the values, traditions, and practices shared by participants, fans, and communities in the sports world. It reflects the collective identity of sports enthusiasts and varies widely between regions and disciplines.
What is sport equality?
Sport equality is the principle of ensuring fair opportunities for all individuals to participate in and benefit from sports, regardless of their gender, race, socioeconomic background, or ability.
How to increase inclusion in sport?
Inclusion in sport can be increased by:
- Implementing anti-discrimination policies.
- Providing accessible facilities for people with disabilities.
- Encouraging diverse representation in leadership roles.
- Creating affordable opportunities for participation.
- Promoting education and awareness about diversity and inclusion.
What is the ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. In sports, it refers to the interplay of sports entities, which are: fans, media, players, clubs, agents, service providers, governing bodies, leagues, athletes’ support groups, sponsors, facilities and betting platforms that create a vibrant and functional sports ecosystem.
What is the ecological theory of sport?
The ecological theory of sport examines how interactions between individuals and their environment influence athletic performance and participation. This includes factors like social dynamics, physical surroundings, and cultural expectations.
What is a game ecosystem?
A game ecosystem is the interconnected network of elements that support a specific game or sport, such as players, coaches, equipment, rules, and the audience. For esports, this includes developers, gaming platforms, and streaming services.
What is an ecosystem example of competition?
In general: Competition occurs when organisms vie for the same resources, like food or shelter, in a natural ecosystem.
In sports: An ecosystem of competition involves teams or athletes competing for championships, sponsorships, and fan loyalty within the broader sports ecosystem.
What are some examples of an ecosystem?
In general: Examples include coral reefs, rainforests, and deserts.
In sports: Examples include the Olympic ecosystem (athletes, committees, sponsors) or the different sports ecosystems like soccer, basketball, football and other ecosystems (players, teams, leagues, media, fans).
What is a competitive ecosystem?
In general: A competitive ecosystem involves organisms or entities competing for limited resources within a shared environment.
In sports: It refers to the rivalry among teams, leagues, or athletes for titles, audiences, or financial opportunities.
What is partitioning in an ecosystem?
In general: Partitioning is the process by which organisms divide resources to reduce competition, like different species of birds feeding at different heights of the same tree.
In sports: Partitioning occurs when leagues or teams specialize in niches—for example, catering to different fan demographics or focusing on unique sports formats to coexist in the same market.