Identifying Factors Influencing Brand Extension in Premier Football Clubs

The purpose of the research was to identify factors influencing brand extension in premier football clubs. Method of the research was qualitative and grounded theory kind and the needed data were obtained from the library studies and interviews with experts. The statistical population consisted of University professors who weree expertise in sports marketing and branding, Marketing Committee members of Football federation and Premier League football club managers. Sampling was theoretically and interviews continued until saturation point (16 interviews). Totally 43 factors were identified that influence brand extension in premier football clubs and categorized to 4 main groups: Brand equity, Fan Team Identification, Marketing activity and Rules. Also, brand association attributes, brand association benefits, brand association attitudes and brand loyalty were 4 factors of football clubs brand equity and marketing activity based on marketing mixed consisted of product, price, place and promotion.