The Research Initiative on Sports and Management (RISM), led by PD Dr. Jakob Müllner, had the opportunity to present selected research projects at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BML). The presentation emphasized that, beyond its cultural and emotional relevance, football offers a unique, data-rich platform for analyzing complex societal dynamics.

Key themes included diversity, racism, and empowerment – issues deeply embedded in the world of sport. The discussion was enriched by the perspectives of football legend Toni Pfeffer, who shared leadership insights from his career, and Oliver Egger, Austria’s first openly homosexual footballer and ÖFB Ombudsman, who addressed the persistent taboo of homosexuality in men’s football. Nikola Staritz from the fairplay initiative highlighted ongoing structural challenges in women’s and girls’ football, from limited access to facilities to systemic inequalities.

Dr. Müllner showcased how football can serve as an empirical field for social science and management research, underlining the sport's capacity to reflect, reproduce, and potentially transform societal norms.

This event demonstrated the growing relevance of sport as a space for academic inquiry and social progress.