Dr Paul Widdop
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
Associate Professor | Relational Sociologist | Social Network Analysis | The Geopolitical Economy of Sport
Substack - https://substack.com/@geosport200?utm_source=about-page
Substack - https://substack.com/@geosport200?utm_source=about-page
Pinned
Dr Paul Widdop
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
· Jan 21
Delighted to announce the publication of 'Handbook of Culture and Social Networks'. Grateful for the outstanding contributions from our stellar team of scholars.
www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/han...
www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/han...
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Wimbledon and the transatlantic class system
“The only thing championship about Wimbledon is its prestige”, John McEnroe
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
“The only thing championship about Wimbledon is its prestige”, John McEnroe
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
July 3, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Wimbledon and the transatlantic class system
“The only thing championship about Wimbledon is its prestige”, John McEnroe
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
“The only thing championship about Wimbledon is its prestige”, John McEnroe
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
The secret's out, Asian football clubs are among the best in the world
FIFA's Club World Cup is highlighting how strong football across the continent has become, even if attitudes towards it elsewhere are lagging behind
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
FIFA's Club World Cup is highlighting how strong football across the continent has become, even if attitudes towards it elsewhere are lagging behind
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
July 2, 2025 at 7:14 AM
The secret's out, Asian football clubs are among the best in the world
FIFA's Club World Cup is highlighting how strong football across the continent has become, even if attitudes towards it elsewhere are lagging behind
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
FIFA's Club World Cup is highlighting how strong football across the continent has become, even if attitudes towards it elsewhere are lagging behind
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
When the archives run dry: Football's crisis of nostalgia
Living through a great age of retro
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Living through a great age of retro
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 18, 2025 at 7:14 AM
When the archives run dry: Football's crisis of nostalgia
Living through a great age of retro
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Living through a great age of retro
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
How fashion partnerships amplify elite football's industrial scale gentrification
Luxury brand deals are now the name of the game for the sport's top clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Luxury brand deals are now the name of the game for the sport's top clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 17, 2025 at 7:33 AM
How fashion partnerships amplify elite football's industrial scale gentrification
Luxury brand deals are now the name of the game for the sport's top clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Luxury brand deals are now the name of the game for the sport's top clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Attendance concerns deepen ahead of FIFA's opening Club World Cup game
ICE and CPD officers will be at the match, even if large numbers of fans are not
profchadwick.substack.com/p/attendance...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
ICE and CPD officers will be at the match, even if large numbers of fans are not
profchadwick.substack.com/p/attendance...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Attendance concerns deepen ahead of FIFA's opening Club World Cup game
ICE and CPD officers will be at the match, even if large numbers of fans are not
profchadwick.substack.com/p/attendance...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
ICE and CPD officers will be at the match, even if large numbers of fans are not
profchadwick.substack.com/p/attendance...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Are sluggish Club World Cup ticket sales a matter of pricing strategy or of fan expectations?
Commercial ambitions are high for a tournament that still involves kicking a ball
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Commercial ambitions are high for a tournament that still involves kicking a ball
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 11, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Are sluggish Club World Cup ticket sales a matter of pricing strategy or of fan expectations?
Commercial ambitions are high for a tournament that still involves kicking a ball
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Commercial ambitions are high for a tournament that still involves kicking a ball
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
What sponsors of FIFA's new Club World Cup tell us about football's geopolitical economy
Europe will have twelve teams competing at a tournament where it will have no sponsors
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Europe will have twelve teams competing at a tournament where it will have no sponsors
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM
What sponsors of FIFA's new Club World Cup tell us about football's geopolitical economy
Europe will have twelve teams competing at a tournament where it will have no sponsors
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Europe will have twelve teams competing at a tournament where it will have no sponsors
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
“Here we go”
The Gatekeepers - transfer insiders and the networked power of 21st century football
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
The Gatekeepers - transfer insiders and the networked power of 21st century football
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
“Here we go”
The Gatekeepers - transfer insiders and the networked power of 21st century football
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
The Gatekeepers - transfer insiders and the networked power of 21st century football
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Who were the real winners of UEFA's 2025 men's Champions League final?
Paris Saint Germain wasn't the only victor
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Paris Saint Germain wasn't the only victor
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 2, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Who were the real winners of UEFA's 2025 men's Champions League final?
Paris Saint Germain wasn't the only victor
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Paris Saint Germain wasn't the only victor
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Are European football club tours to Asia an anachronism?
Manchester United's challenging recent visit to Asia highlights problems facing many European clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Manchester United's challenging recent visit to Asia highlights problems facing many European clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
June 2, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Are European football club tours to Asia an anachronism?
Manchester United's challenging recent visit to Asia highlights problems facing many European clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Manchester United's challenging recent visit to Asia highlights problems facing many European clubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
We wrote a few words on the Champions League Final
Champions League final 2025: a battle for glory against a backdrop of money and fashion
theconversation.com/champions-le...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social @uk.theconversation.com Ronnie Das
theconversation.com/champions-le...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social @uk.theconversation.com Ronnie Das
Champions League final 2025: a battle for glory against a backdrop of money and fashion
Two sides from two glamorous cities.
theconversation.com
May 30, 2025 at 7:48 AM
We wrote a few words on the Champions League Final
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
The rise of the Sportister: Football, fashion, and the new global code
Football, fashion and culture converge like never before
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Football, fashion and culture converge like never before
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
May 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The rise of the Sportister: Football, fashion, and the new global code
Football, fashion and culture converge like never before
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Football, fashion and culture converge like never before
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
The FIA - a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma?
Motorsport's global governing body just announced a return to profitability, yet it is haemorrhaging senior staff
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Motorsport's global governing body just announced a return to profitability, yet it is haemorrhaging senior staff
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
May 23, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The FIA - a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma?
Motorsport's global governing body just announced a return to profitability, yet it is haemorrhaging senior staff
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Motorsport's global governing body just announced a return to profitability, yet it is haemorrhaging senior staff
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Controlled spaces and English football's tifos - is the beginning of the end already here?
Commercial pressures and public sensitivities look set to moderate tifo culture
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Commercial pressures and public sensitivities look set to moderate tifo culture
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
May 21, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Controlled spaces and English football's tifos - is the beginning of the end already here?
Commercial pressures and public sensitivities look set to moderate tifo culture
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Commercial pressures and public sensitivities look set to moderate tifo culture
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Miami's vice like grip takes hold of global sport
How the Florida city is fast becoming one of the industry's most important hubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
How the Florida city is fast becoming one of the industry's most important hubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
May 20, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Miami's vice like grip takes hold of global sport
How the Florida city is fast becoming one of the industry's most important hubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
How the Florida city is fast becoming one of the industry's most important hubs
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Football prepares itself for a summer of authenticity
From tour games to overseas fans, shirt launches and beyond, there's a quest ahead to be genuine, real and true
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
From tour games to overseas fans, shirt launches and beyond, there's a quest ahead to be genuine, real and true
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
May 19, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Football prepares itself for a summer of authenticity
From tour games to overseas fans, shirt launches and beyond, there's a quest ahead to be genuine, real and true
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
From tour games to overseas fans, shirt launches and beyond, there's a quest ahead to be genuine, real and true
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Nostalgia, soft power, and the forgotten value of the English FA Cup
“Nostalgia – it’s delicate, but potent.” — Don Draper, Mad Men
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
“Nostalgia – it’s delicate, but potent.” — Don Draper, Mad Men
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
May 16, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Nostalgia, soft power, and the forgotten value of the English FA Cup
“Nostalgia – it’s delicate, but potent.” — Don Draper, Mad Men
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
“Nostalgia – it’s delicate, but potent.” — Don Draper, Mad Men
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
How a Harvard professor shaped 21st century sport
Joseph Nye and his ideas about soft power will leave an indelible mark on the industry
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
Joseph Nye and his ideas about soft power will leave an indelible mark on the industry
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
How a Harvard professor shaped 21st century sport
Joseph Nye and his ideas about soft power will leave an indelible mark on the industry
substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 7:03 AM
How a Harvard professor shaped 21st century sport
Joseph Nye and his ideas about soft power will leave an indelible mark on the industry
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
Joseph Nye and his ideas about soft power will leave an indelible mark on the industry
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Donald says, "Let Russia take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup"
How US president Trump and his predilections continue to play games with sport
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
How US president Trump and his predilections continue to play games with sport
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
May 8, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Donald says, "Let Russia take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup"
How US president Trump and his predilections continue to play games with sport
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
How US president Trump and his predilections continue to play games with sport
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Mohammed Ali, mimetic isomorphism, and the return of big-time boxing to Qatar
Copying a neighbour's behaviour is commonplace in the Gulf region
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Copying a neighbour's behaviour is commonplace in the Gulf region
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Mohammed Ali, mimetic isomorphism, and the return of big-time boxing to Qatar
Copying a neighbour's behaviour is commonplace in the Gulf region
substack.com
May 7, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Mohammed Ali, mimetic isomorphism, and the return of big-time boxing to Qatar
Copying a neighbour's behaviour is commonplace in the Gulf region
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Copying a neighbour's behaviour is commonplace in the Gulf region
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Webinar
14th May
14.00 UK time | 15.00 French time
SKEMA Publika sport & soft power ranking
Which countries topped the ranking?
Who are the ones to watch?
What will Trump mean for soft power?
Register via events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6de825...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
14th May
14.00 UK time | 15.00 French time
SKEMA Publika sport & soft power ranking
Which countries topped the ranking?
Who are the ones to watch?
What will Trump mean for soft power?
Register via events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6de825...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
May 6, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Webinar
14th May
14.00 UK time | 15.00 French time
SKEMA Publika sport & soft power ranking
Which countries topped the ranking?
Who are the ones to watch?
What will Trump mean for soft power?
Register via events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6de825...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
14th May
14.00 UK time | 15.00 French time
SKEMA Publika sport & soft power ranking
Which countries topped the ranking?
Who are the ones to watch?
What will Trump mean for soft power?
Register via events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6de825...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Why Zhao Xintong's snooker world championship win will deliver less then the hype suggests
State policy, concerns about gambling, and changing consumer preferences will moderate what happens next in Chinese snooker
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
State policy, concerns about gambling, and changing consumer preferences will moderate what happens next in Chinese snooker
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
May 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Why Zhao Xintong's snooker world championship win will deliver less then the hype suggests
State policy, concerns about gambling, and changing consumer preferences will moderate what happens next in Chinese snooker
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
State policy, concerns about gambling, and changing consumer preferences will moderate what happens next in Chinese snooker
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Snookered!!!
Britain's sporting ambitions are in a difficult position as 21st century realities hit
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Britain's sporting ambitions are in a difficult position as 21st century realities hit
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
April 29, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Snookered!!!
Britain's sporting ambitions are in a difficult position as 21st century realities hit
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Britain's sporting ambitions are in a difficult position as 21st century realities hit
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
From April 2023...
How Wrexham’s football fairy tale is fuelled by Disney and Hollywood glamour
theconversation.com/how-wrexhams...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
How Wrexham’s football fairy tale is fuelled by Disney and Hollywood glamour
theconversation.com/how-wrexhams...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
April 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
From April 2023...
How Wrexham’s football fairy tale is fuelled by Disney and Hollywood glamour
theconversation.com/how-wrexhams...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
How Wrexham’s football fairy tale is fuelled by Disney and Hollywood glamour
theconversation.com/how-wrexhams...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Paul Widdop
Where do you draw your red lines?
UEFA Champions League semi-final poses some awkward questions for football fans
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
UEFA Champions League semi-final poses some awkward questions for football fans
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
April 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Where do you draw your red lines?
UEFA Champions League semi-final poses some awkward questions for football fans
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport
UEFA Champions League semi-final poses some awkward questions for football fans
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport