%D 2013
%A E.C. van Heesen
%L theses_frw2797
%X This study examined the relationship between the local catchment area and the on-field performance of football clubs from the five major European leagues.
Also other determinants of on-field performance are taken into account, the historical success nationally and internationally as well as foreign ownership. Furthermore the relationship between the football clubs’ main sponsor origin and the on-field performance is investigated.

Based on a multiple regression analysis it can be concluded that the local catchment area is still a determinant of on-field performance, but historical national success can be marked as the major predictor of performance. Also international historical success contributes significantly to the performance. All these determinants are found to have a positive relationship with the performance.
The results show furthermore that foreign ownership is not significantly related, while football clubs with an international shirt sponsor perform better than clubs with a local or national sponsor.
%T The Catchment Area and the Performance of Football Clubs in Europe