Calculating the Social Return on Investment of a Japanese Professional Soccer Team's Corporate Social Responsabiilty Activities - Frontiers

This study aimed to calculate the social impact of a Japanese professional soccer team's CSR activities using a Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework. Matsumoto Yamaga Football Club, a top-division team during the 2019–2020 period, was used as the case study, focusing on its community soccer programs at 129 schools. The SROI calculation followed five stages: identifying stakeholders, mapping inputs and outcomes, measuring outcomes, establishing impact, and calculating SROI. Seven key stakeholders, including children, parents, coaches, and local governments, were identified through interviews. Results revealed that the program generated a social value of USD 54,160 against inputs of USD 10,134, achieving an SROI ratio of 5.3 (USD 5.3 in benefits per USD 1 invested). This study highlights the monetary value of CSR-related social impacts in professional sports and offers practical guidance for team managers to optimize resource allocation and enhance the effectiveness of CSR activities.

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