Temple University’s Sport Industry Research Center (SIRC) featured prominently in the program of the 34th European Association for Sport Management Conference (EASM), which was held September 15–18 in Thessaloniki, Greece. SIRC faculty and PhD students presented research during the academic program and Dr. Dan Funk was featured as the EASM 2026 Keynote Speaker.
In “Playing the Tournament, Managing the Brand: How the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Shaped Players’ Instagram Behavior,” Thilo Kunkel, Bradley Baker, Prat Yadav, Yang Yang, and Amy Giddings examined the Instagram profiles of 741 players immediately before and after the tournament.
They found that the proportion of players displaying an email contact rose from 2.6% to 16.7%, while 24.3% updated their biographies. The changes were concentrated in profile features that players could readily update to present themselves and make professional contact easier. Players posted actively, although 21.6% of accounts showed evidence of possible deletion or archiving of previously posted content.
The researchers recommend that athletes and their representatives review profiles before major competitions, checking contact information and professional details in anticipation of increased attention. They also identify a role for clubs and federations in helping athletes prepare through social media education.
“The research highlights athletes recognize the spotlight these mega events shine on their social media profiles and actively manage their online presence to maximize business opportunities that may come from the increased awareness,” Kunkel said.
The study documents changes in profiles rather than the reasons behind individual decisions. Whether those changes translate into more followers, engagement, or sponsor interest remains a question for further research.
A second study, “Collective Identity Work in Sport for Development Collaboratives,” examined how organizations using sport to address social issues develop a shared understanding of their work. Joelle J. Ferguson and Per G. Svensson of Louisiana State University collaborated with SIRC’s Shreyas Rao and Gareth J. Jones on the research.
The team interviewed leaders from 19 member organizations involved in a collaborative in a North American metropolitan area. Preliminary findings indicated that members recognized a shared mission but differed in their priorities and views of the collaborative’s direction.
The organization coordinating the network helped initiate a shared identity, but differences in organizational capacity, competition for resources, and broad agendas complicated efforts to maintain a common direction.
For those leading similar networks, the findings point to the value of deliberate discussions about shared purpose and ways of working together, not just resource acquisition.
The conference concluded with a keynote address by Dr. Daniel Funk that focused on “Making Research Matter” by connecting academic research with organizational needs through research purpose, design, and impact. Dr. Funk’s inspiring address reflects SIRC’s mission to generate and translate research that helps sport organizations and individuals make informed decisions.