Exploring fields of power in the English Premier League. A qualitative study into unhealthy sponsorships

Ireland, R., Bunn, C. , Chambers, S. and Reith, G. (2024) Exploring fields of power in the English Premier League. A qualitative study into unhealthy sponsorships. Sport in Society, (doi: 10.1080/17430437.2023.2300434) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

This qualitative study uses Bourdieu’s sociology of practice to help understand how different actors in football consider ‘unhealthy’ sponsorships (defined as promoting gambling, food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS), and alcohol) in the English Premier League. Eighteen informants were interviewed including those employed by football clubs and their charitable foundations, others with a commercial interest in the football industry, and members of fan organisations. Their responses were examined using a thematic approach and reflected the distribution of economic and cultural power between the agents in the field of football. Tensions within these fields of power are illustrated diagrammatically between those in possession of economic capital (the clubs), and those who protect the cultural capital of ‘their’ clubs (the fans).

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: Arts and Humanities Research Council; Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate; Economic and Social Research Council; Medical Research Council; National Institute for Health and Care Research; Danish Research Council; UK Gambling Commission; Scottish Funding Council; Wellcome Trust.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bunn, Dr Christopher and Chambers, Dr Stephanie and Reith, Professor Gerda and Ireland, Dr Robin
• Authors: Ireland, R., Bunn, C., Chambers, S., and Reith, G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Sport in Society
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 1743-0437
• ISSN (Online): 1743-0445
• Published Online: 08 January 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Sport in Society 2024
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence