Enhancing Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices in Professional Sports Clubs: A Delphi Study Approach

While environmental, social, and governance adoption (ESG) is growing, the sports sector is encountering distinct hurdles due to its economic intricacies and stakeholder complexities. A gap exists between ESG assessment and implementation, particularly in the translation of high-level principles into concrete operational strategies. Many clubs engage in ESG reporting or evaluations, but lack the actionable frameworks or internal capacity needed for effective execution. The aim of this study is to develop a practical ESG implementation roadmap tailored to the unique characteristics of professional sports clubs. Using the Delphi method, a three-round expert consensus process was conducted with 20 specialists from academia, clubs, corporations, the public, and media. The first round determined potential ESG factors, while the second and third rounds analyzed their relevance, importance, and feasibility using quantitative validity measures including the content validity ratio, convergence, and consensus. ESG strategies were categorized into three dimensions: environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance integrity. While the main environmental goals that emerge are waste management techniques and sustainable stadium operations, the social component emphasizes youth growth, diversity, and community services. The governance structure prioritizes transparency, anti-corruption initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. The transition from evaluation to action establishes a stakeholder-centric framework aimed at politicians, club administrators, and sports regulatory organizations to enhance sustainability, trust, and resilience.