Beyond the Scoreboard: Bibliometric Insights into Accounting and Financial Management in Sports Clubs and Associations

Understanding the evolution of sports accounting and financial management is essential for ensuring the sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term success of sports clubs and organizations. This study analyzes the evolution of accounting and financial management practices within sports clubs and organizations by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 77 Scopus-indexed documents published between 2000 and 2024. The investigation focuses on research topics, key contributors, institutional affiliations, and publication trends to uncover patterns and advancements in the field. Using keywords such as "sports accounting," "sports finance," and "financial management in sports," the study employed a systematic TITLE-ABS-KEY search, limiting results to relevant subject areas, including business, economics, and social sciences. The findings reveal that 67.53% of the documents are research articles, with business, management, and accounting being the predominant subject area, followed by economics, econometrics, and finance. "Sports finance" emerged as the most frequently occurring keyword, highlighting its centrality in the field, particularly in budgeting, financial management, and economic impacts. Additionally, the study identified a consistent rise in publication activity since 2006, peaking in 2020. Key authors and institutions were identified, with contributions from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States leading the field. Citation metrics, including an h-index of 13 and a g-index of 29, emphasize the influence and relevance of the research. This study highlights the growing focus on financial transparency, digital transformation, and sustainability, providing a foundation for future research on advancing sports accounting and finance.