Governance and Soccer: A Study in Clubs From Caxias do Sul

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the relationship between the adoption of corporate governance practices and sports performance in Caxias do Sul soccer clubs: Esporte Clube Juventude and Sociedade Esportiva e Recreativa Caxias do Sul, between 2012 and 2016. Data were collected through interviews with football club leaders, complemented with information from documents analyzed as the statutes of the respective associations. The dimensions analyzed were: governance structure, compliance, accountability, social return and managerial practices. The findings demonstrate that in the cases studied, corporate governance principles are still incipient, but these have influenced the clubs' sports performance. The Esporte Clube Juventude performed well in the period and that Sociedade Esportiva e Recreativa Caxias do Sul, after having overcome managerial and sports problems in the period, is being structured to achieve better results. Finally, it is understood that in order to survive and seek positive results, soccer clubs will no longer be able to pursue archaic management practices.