Scoring beyond the field: analyzing CSR practices in the Polish Ekstraklasa football league

Purpose This study aims to examine the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of Polish Ekstraklasa football clubs, focusing on the types of initiatives undertaken and the motivations driving their implementation. It explores how various factors shape CSR engagement in a postcommunist football context. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a qualitative design, combining secondary document analysis with 19 semistructured interviews conducted with club executives, league and fan representatives and local government officials. The thematic analysis was guided by stakeholder theory, stakeholder salience and neo-institutional theory to understand the drivers behind CSR practices. Findings The findings reveal that CSR initiatives among Ekstraklasa clubs are predominantly informal, fragmented and focused on community engagement rather than strategic planning. None of the 16 clubs had formal CSR strategies or nonfinancial reports, and environmental initiatives were largely absent. CSR actions were mainly reactive, shaped by the expectations of fans and municipal stakeholders, with limited evidence of strategic alignment. Clubs also exhibited mimetic behaviors, imitating CSR activities seen in more developed football leagues. Practical implications This study highlights the need for Polish football clubs to develop formalized CSR strategies, enhance governance practices, broaden stakeholder engagement and integrate environmental and transparency issues into their operations. Moving beyond symbolic CSR will be crucial for strengthening organizational legitimacy and long-term community impact. Originality/value This research advances the understanding of CSR practices in transitional economies by applying stakeholder and institutional theories to Polish professional football. It offers new insights into how sociopolitical legacies, governance structures and stakeholder dynamics influence the evolution of CSR in emerging sport markets.