Special Issue of Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal
Special Issue Overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the global sport industry. From
strategy and operations to fan engagement, sponsorship, and governance, AI is reshaping how sport organizations create value, make decisions, and compete in a digital economy.
This special issue invites high-quality submissions that explore the
innovative, strategic, and disruptive roles of AI in sport business. We welcome research that advances academic knowledge and provides managerial implications for practitioners.
Topics of Interest
We encourage theoretical, empirical, and conceptual contributions on (but not limited to) the following themes:
- AI and Innovation: new business models, digital products, and services in sport
- Strategic Integration of AI: decision-making, agility, competitive advantage
- Fan Experience & Engagement: personalization, prediction, behavioral insights
- Revenue & Commercialization: sponsorship, media rights, retail, e-commerce, ticketing, dynamic pricing
- Governance & Ethics: fairness, privacy, bias, accountability in AI systems
- Workforce & Human–AI Collaboration: future skills, automation, organizational change
- Case Studies: success stories, challenges, and lessons from AI implementation in sport
- AI Tools, Platforms & Research Methods: chatbots, CRM, predictive analytics, generative AI, data-driven methods
Why Submit?
- Contribute to a dedicated collection on AI in sport business in a leading international journal.
- Reach both academic and industry audiences seeking evidence-based insights.
- Shape the debate on how AI drives innovation, disruption, and transformation in global sport.
Submission Details
Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026
Full Call for Papers:
Read here
Submission Platform:
ScholarOne Manuscripts
Author Guidelines:
Emerald Publishing guidelines
Guest Editors
- Dr. Gashaw Abeza (Towson University) — gabeza@towson.edu
- Dr. David Wagner (Munich Business School) — david.wagner@munich-business-school.de
Share this Call for Papers
We welcome your submissions and kindly encourage you to share this call with colleagues, research networks, and practitioner communities worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who should consider submitting to this special issue?
Scholars, researchers, and practitioners in sport management, business strategy, marketing, information systems,
and related disciplines. Interdisciplinary work (e.g., computer science, data analytics, law) is welcome if the
sport business context is clear.
What types of papers are you looking for?
Theoretical, empirical, and conceptual contributions; case studies and applied research.
Submissions should demonstrate rigor, originality, and clear implications for sport business and management.
Are practitioner-oriented studies welcome?
Yes. High-quality case studies, industry analyses, and academic–practitioner collaborations are encouraged,
provided they offer actionable insights and contribute to broader scholarly debates.
How do I submit my paper?
All manuscripts must be submitted through the ScholarOne Manuscripts system.
Please ensure your paper follows the journal’s author guidelines.
See full CFP & submission and
author guidelines.
What is the submission deadline?
The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2026. Early submissions are encouraged.
Who can I contact with questions?
Please contact the Guest Editors:
Dr. Gashaw Abeza — gabeza@towson.edu
Dr. David Wagner — david.wagner@munich-business-school.de
