Once works or company teams were a familiar feature of football, but gradually their numbers have declined. Paternalist firms saw them as a good way of boosting the morale or fitness of their workers and getting some publicity for their brand, in a way that is now done by sponsorship. Players were given easy jobs and time off for training.
Once works or company teams were a familiar feature of football, but gradually their numbers have declined. Paternalist firms saw them as a good way of boosting the morale or fitness of their workers and getting some publicity for their brand, in a way that is now done by sponsorship. Players were given easy jobs and time off for training.
The latest club that is going to sever its links with a company is Sochaux-Montbéllard in France’s Ligue 2. Founded by Peugeot in 1928, the company’s backing enabled them to become the first professional club in France. Beset by financial problems, Peugeot wants to sell its stake by December 31st.
This article links the decline of the company team to globalisation. Not only have companies become more global in their operations, they have become more global in their outlook. Operations like football clubs have to be judged in terms of their contribution to the bottom line.