Designing a Pricing Model for Players in Iranian Professional Football

Subject Areas : Sports Science and Healthy

Ahmad Gorjipour ¹ , Vahid Shojaei ^{2 *} , Mohammad Hami ³

1 - 1. PhD Candidate in Sport Management, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor in Sports Management, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Sport Management, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.

Received: 2024-07-27 Accepted : 2024-08-14 Published : 2025-01-15

Keywords: Model design, Football player pricing, Game theory, Iranian Professional football,

Abstract :

The aim of this research was to design a pricing model for professional football players in Iran. In this qualitative study, conducted with a model design approach based on the grounded theory strategy, 17 individuals participated voluntarily. The participants included marketing managers from top-tier football clubs, football coaches, university professors, and active football agents. They were purposefully selected using non-random sampling for interviews. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA 18 software. The researcher extracted concepts through a three-stage coding process. Subsequently, a model was designed based on the Glaserian framework using thematic categorization and selective coding. Based on the findings, four dimensions—individual attributes, technical performance, psychosocial skills, and contextual factors—comprised a total of 112 initial concept codes (in repeated instances) that directly influenced the pricing of professional football players in Iran. These dimensions included specific factors such as height, performance quality, and endurance, muscular stamina, technical diversity, physical strength, passing accuracy, dribbling ability, shooting precision, and ball control in the second dimension; creativity, and resilience in the third dimension; and finally, social status, and legal constraints in the fourth dimension. It is recommended that club managers, football players, and other stakeholders consider these various dimensions during contract negotiations and decision-making. This model can serve as an effective tool for more accurate and equitable player valuation and can enhance decision-making processes related to player acquisition and sales. Ultimately, this research assists managers in recruiting talented players at appropriate costs, thereby improving team success.

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