Freelancer

The current research aimed to develop a freelancing model in Iran's sports industry. This study is applied in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of methodology. The statistical population consisted of experts in entrepreneurship, management, and sports management. A purposive snowball sampling method was used, and 19 participants were selected based on theoretical saturation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach and Glaser's emergent method. Coding was performed in two stages and three steps: actual coding (open and selective coding) and theoretical coding, through which the research components were identified. In total, 160 codes and 41 categories were extracted across 10 dimensions at three levels: macro, meso, and micro. The findings indicate that at the macro level, cultural, political, social, economic, and legal factors are influential; at the meso level, educational, technological, and media factors play a role; and at the micro level, behavioral and psychological factors are significant. Given the unemployment rate among graduates of sports science and physical education, it is recommended that managers and policymakers take coordinated steps to leverage freelancing capacities to improve employment and entrepreneurship in the country's sports sector.