Unlocking Blockchain’s Potential in Sports: A Multisport Comparative Study of Adoption, Performance, and Innovation

Blockchain technology is transforming the sports industry by enhancing data security, smart contracts, ticketing transparency, and fan engagement. Despite its potential, adoption remains limited, particularly in team sports. This study examines the impact of blockchain applications on team sports performance, focusing on football and basketball in Romania. A survey of sports professionals was conducted, followed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS and cluster analysis in SPSS 22.0 to assess blockchain’s perceived benefits and applicability. The findings reveal that blockchain adoption significantly influences athlete performance at both national and European levels. Football demonstrates higher adoption rates in smart ticketing and fan engagement, while basketball leads in financial support mechanisms and performance analytics. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) confirmed statistically significant differences between the two sports in blockchain utilization. Benchmarking against finance, healthcare, and supply chain industries further highlights best practices for overcoming adoption barriers. This study validates the role of blockchain in fostering transparency, efficiency, and competitive growth in sports, while also identifying key challenges, such as scalability, regulatory constraints, and stakeholder resistance. The research provides data-driven insights for policymakers, sports organizations, and technology developers, offering strategic recommendations for blockchain implementation in sports governance and athlete management.