EASE Talks n°11 – Shaping Sport the European Way
In the wake of its 2025 General Assembly, EASE released the 11th edition of its flagship thought leadership series, EASE Talks, under a title that captures both ambition and necessity: “Shaping Sport the European Way: Institutions and Values.”
Held in a time of growing pressure on the European Sport Model, this edition is more than a reflection — it is a statement of intent. Anchored in contributions from senior EU and Council of Europe representatives, it explores how sport, as a public good and cultural force, must remain rooted in democratic values, solidarity, and institutional balance.
Sport in Europe is facing a turning point. Between the commodification of elite competitions, the geopolitical instrumentalisation of international events, and the strain on athlete welfare in ever-expanding calendars, the European Sport Model is increasingly being tested.
This edition of EASE Talks presents a united call to defend and update the Model—not by freezing it in the past, but by clarifying and reaffirming what makes it uniquely European. In particular, the publication calls for reinforcing its pyramid structure, its solidarity mechanisms, and its merit-based competition logic—elements that are today threatened by closed league formats, opaque ownership models, and unfair market practices.
Contributions from European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef, MEP Nikola Minchev, and Sophie Kwasny from the Council of Europe demonstrate a renewed institutional commitment to these values. But they also acknowledge that institutions alone cannot uphold the Model: they need the input, leadership, and accountability of stakeholders on the ground.
EASE, as the voice of sport employers across Europe, is uniquely placed to bridge this gap. Through initiatives such as the European Social Charter for Sport Events (ESCSE), the BeST Inclusion project, and its growing presence in Erasmus+ actions, EASE is translating abstract values into operational tools. These projects showcase how employers can be agents of social transformation—by setting fair employment standards, by promoting inclusion across gender, disability and age, and by ensuring that major sporting events leave a meaningful legacy beyond the podium.
What emerges from EASE Talk n°11 is the idea that the European Sport Model is not just a system of organisation—it is a social contract. It rests on a delicate balance: between public and private interest, between grassroots and elite sport, and between economic viability and social purpose.
This contract must evolve with the times. Discussions raised the need for better protection of athlete health, particularly against the backdrop of commercial pressures and media demands. Stakeholders emphasized the necessity of regulating agents and intermediaries, and ensuring that young athletes are safeguarded from exploitative practices. A common theme also emerged on club ownership, where the line between entrepreneurship and cultural stewardship must be redefined to reflect the true nature of clubs as social institutions.
The publication also highlights a unique European challenge: the coexistence of multiple legal, political, and cultural frameworks across the continent. The European Union, the Council of Europe, and national governments must find ways to harmonise their sport policies, without eroding local specificities. Platforms such as EPAS (the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport) offer a promising avenue for this pan-European dialogue.
EASE, through its network expansion and collaborative projects, positions itself as a convener of this dialogue—connecting employers, institutions, and civil society.
As sport becomes increasingly global and commercial, it is essential that Europe leads not just by regulation, but by example. EASE Talk n°11 stands as a call to action for all actors involved in sport—not just to safeguard the European Sport Model, but to reinvigorate it as a vehicle of inclusion, cohesion, and democratic accountability.