This book represents an alternative perspective on international elite sport systems. It focusses on the embedded multi-level nature of leadership, and the scope that this might give for degrees of leadership autonomy and discretion.

The chapters show how mechanisms of leadership on different levels interact. The nature and mix of leadership mechanisms reflect values and expectations related to specific political, normative and commercial sport contexts. Three introductory chapters outline key elements of these dimensions of elite sport contexts. Seven empirical cases illustrate how national contexts facilitate and constrain leadership practices, related to specific sports across Russia, China, Ghana, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and the US. The final chapter discusses embedded multi-level leadership from a comparative perspective. Based on the countries covered, the book distinguishes between three groups: state-dominated systems, state-elite sport partnership and countries with a passive state, with no state intervention.

This book is important reading for researchers and students with an interest in sport management, sport development, sport policy and sport governance, as well as for policy-makers, performance directors and managers working in elite sport.