Research Objective

Today, sport has evolved into a multifaceted industry with economic, cultural, and social dimensions. Within this context, the present research aims to examine the role of oil companies’ sponsorship in Iranian sport and to compare it with the practices of international companies such as Shell, British Petroleum, Total, and Aramco, considering this as a component of corporate social responsibility.

Research Methods

This research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach and analyzing the mechanisms of financial support provided by oil companies in Iran and comparing them with global best practices.

Results

Analyses show that global oil companies have utilized transparent, evaluation-based mechanisms to transform sponsorship into a tool for sustainable investment and the improvement of their environmental image. In Iran, the lack of a structured financial framework and the absence of an evaluation system have caused a large part of sports support, particularly in football, to lack economic and social returns. Moreover, the analyses emphasize that support policies should shift from episodic expenditures toward investment in grassroots and mass sports, areas that can generate employment, develop the sports industry, strengthen the local economy, and enhance public health and societal productivity.

Conclusions

Finally, If Iranian oil companies institutionalize financial transparency, social and environmental impact assessment, and diversification of sponsorship domains in line with international models, they will be able to play an effective and lasting role in advancing the country’s sustainable development.