Giving back to society: Evidence from African sport migrants

This article examines the effects of African migrant players’ ‘giving back’ behaviour by analyzing the various socioeconomic projects that they invest in, in their communities of origin. The article draws on interviews with former and current professional footballers in Europe to understand the rationale behind the use of their football resources and investments to the society. Findings show that some players invest in valuable projects like hospitals, schools, education, oil and gas business as well as football academies, which reflect what they termed as giving back to the society. In so doing they are able to drive local and regional development. The study concludes by clarifying the rationality behind the players’ give back behaviour to the society through their investment contributions and that demonstrates their social and cultural ties with families, relatives, friends, teammates and the communities where they might have started their football career.