SPORT, MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMY IN ITALY: IMPACT OF MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPORTS FACILITIES

The aim of this paper is to determine the impact of the sport industry on the Italian economy and more specifically the detection of the specific benefits regarding the investments in multipurpose sports facilities. Regarding the determination of the impact that sports generates on the Italian economy, we elaborated, through a joint analysis, data regarding both the Added Value created by the sport industry and economic multipliers that allowed us to determine the interrelation between sports industry and the remaining industrial sectors; items included in the “Study on the Contribution of Sport to economic Growth and Employment in the EU” (SportsEconAustria 2012). Furthermore, with regard to the detection of the specific benefits of investing in multipurpose sports facilities, the method followed has been the analysis of case studies of facilities currently present in Italy with more interest in the case of the Juventus Stadium inaugurated in 2011. It has been observed that sport industry is able to positively influence, not only the recreational and leisure sector but also other key sectors of the Italian economy such as hospitality and catering services, transport, construction, manufacturing, media and press. In addition, the construction of multi-purpose sports facilities, by introducing new businesses within the establishment and in the surrounding areas, such as museums, stores, bars, restaurants and other, create direct as well as indirect commercial benefits such as new job opportunities, reevaluation of the urban and commercial area where the establishment is located, the opportunity to attract more and new forms of tourism, and create further positive economic impulse. In conclusion, sport positively influences the Italian economy, and investing in the construction of a multipurpose sport facility represents a solid prospect of sustainable economic development.