This article presents the results of an empirical study into the marke
ting of UK sport associations. A 44-item scale is used to investigate
the extent to which UK sport associations are marketing-oriented. The
results suggest a low degree of marketing orientation amongst such org
anisations. Key variables identified as influencing the degree of mark
eting orientation are the size of an association and respondents' subj
ective assessments of the spectating and playing status of their sport
. The majority of sport associations possess only a limited understand
ing of marketing, and view the discipline principally as a promotional
or money-making vehicle.