The use of financial market instruments in supporting professional sports in Poland

Abstract

There are many examples of the use of financial market instruments in financing professional sports activities on the international financial market. The Polish financial market is also an excellent example of this. The dynamic development of the financial market and sports companies provides a platform for cooperation in the field of finance and sport. It should also be emphasized that the activity of financial market institutions is part of the broadly understood concept of sustainable development, including corporate social responsibility (CSR). The article formulates a research hypothesis that various instruments of the financial market are used to finance professional sports in Poland. In order to verify the hypothesis, the following methods were used: critical analysis of the literature, descriptive, comparative and case study. The study focuses onregulated financial market, indicating selected diverse examples of the use of financial instruments in support of professional sports in Poland. ‘Sports’ stocks and bonds are listed on the regulated NewConnectshare market and Catalyst bond market. Financial instruments supporting professional sport are also used outside the regulated market. Also innovative methods of raising capital by issuing securities through crowdfunding have been used. The activity of the banking sector in creating sport as an investment object was also presented. Banking offers accounts, deposits and structured products related to sport. The article indicates both positive cases of using financial instruments for financing professional sports, and negative ones for maintaining an objective assessment of the situation.Theoretical considerations and analyzed empirical material allowed for positive verification of research hypothesis. Bearing in mind the content of the article, it can be concluded that the development of Polish sport and the financial market as well as inspiring examples from Western Europe and the United States will contribute to a wider use of financial instruments for professional sports in Poland.