The development of professional sports leagues in emerging markets is structurally constrained by institutional fragmentation, inconsistent competition frameworks, underdeveloped commercialization strategies, and limited international integration. This paper introduces the Egiazarian Model of Sports League Development, a comprehensive systems-theory-based framework integrating six interdependent structural pillars: (1) governance and institutional design,(2) competition structure and sporting integrity,(3) financial and commercial framework,(4) stakeholder alignment and partnerships,(5) media, branding, and fan engagement,(6) international integration and recognition. The model is supported by qualitative conceptual methodology, comparative institutional review, secondary global data, and practical case application through the Armenian Hockey League. The findings indicate that sustainable sports systems emerge not from isolated interventions but from coordinated structural alignment across all pillars and sequential development stages. The model offers theoretical novelty and practical guidance for policymakers, federation leaders, investors, and sports organizations operating in emerging markets.
Pavel Egiazarian (Thu,) studied this question.