The Impact of Sports Industry Output on Economic Growth: Evidence from China

The sports industry has emerged as a significant contributor to global economic growth, fostering employment opportunities and generating revenue through various channels. This study explores the multifaceted output of the sports industry, encompassing sports-related goods and services, media, tourism, and advertising. It delves into the transformative impact of sports on economies, transcending cultural boundaries and uniting people worldwide. Using time-series data from 2000 to 2022 in China, the present study utilized the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) estimation to examine the relationship between the study variables; the findings reveal there is a positive and significant association between the sports industry output and economic growth indicating that a 1% increase in TOSI will lead to a 0.78% in China’s GDP. Consumer spending on sports-related products and services, coupled with the influence of digital platforms and social media, further amplifies the industry’s economic footprint. The sports sector’s role as a catalyst for job creation across various sectors is also examined, alongside its capacity to attract investments and promote sustainable development through major sporting events.