Communicational management of football clubs: Analysis of communication departments from la liga

Abstract

Introduction: This article studies the communication management performed by the main Spanish football teams. The staff and material resources dedicated thereto are investigated and compared against the reality of other organizations. Methodology: Essentially a semi-structured interview is conducted with staff responsible of communications or managerial staff from the 122 clubs of First, Second division and the Second B Division of the National Championship of La Liga. Results: 93% of football teams have communication offices or in-house communication structures, where mostly (69%) work, professionals graduated in journalism. In addition, 70% have strategic communication plans and only 50% recognize to outsource this sort of services. Discussion and conclusions: Despite the intense communicational task of these organizations, in general a significant lack of professionalization and specific academic education there is observed, with huge differences between football clubs and categories.