Konsumentuppfattning kring idrottsupportrars inställning till sponsorer som går emot idrottens värderingar : En jämförelsestudie om svenska idrottkonsumenters emotionella koppling till idrottsaktörer

Sammanfattning: Competitive sports has grown into a large industry with a turnover of hundreds of billions of dollars. In line with the digitalization and globalization that the world has undergone in recent years, there have been great marketing opportunities for sponsors who want to benefit from the sport and its positivity. Although choosing a sponsor is not always easy, especially not because the sport has its norms and values ​​to take into account, which may differ from the sponsors' purposes.In the idea program Idrotten vill, which was approved by the members at the Swedish Sports Confederation's meeting in 2019, it is written that sports in Sweden should function as a social force that contributes to a more sustainable society by, among other things, promoting public health. Despite this, there are sponsors from industries such as betting, alcohol and fast food, all of which go against public health. The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of consumer attitudes towards sponsorship collaborations that go against the stated values ​​of sport, by examining any differences between supporters with an emotional connection to a sports team or an athlete, and those supporters without an emotional connection. Through a quantitative survey, questions have been formed based on the theories of Corporate Social Responsibility, Heider's balance theory and Word of mouth. With the help of 176 sports supporters, the study has shown that they are influenced by their surroundings' views on sponsorship collaborations, and that trust in them is strengthened if their products in any way give back to society. However, the results show that a product's affiliation with the sports movement does not necessarily have to be accepted as a sponsor.