The model of governance at FC Barcelona: balancing member democracy, commercial strategy, corporate social responsibility and sporting performance

This article presents an in‐depth case study of the governance of FC Barcelona up to the end of 2008 FC Barcelona. 2008. Annual Report the re‐assertion of member democracy and improvements in transparency of club governance; the implementation of a commercial strategy designed to generate increased revenues; and the development of an innovative series of corporate social responsibility initiatives. The analysis concludes with a critical consideration of the reasons why the mutual ownership and governance structure of FC Barcelona does not appear to have hampered its ability to compete in financial and sporting terms and whether this model could be replicated in the English Premier League.