Background and Purpose
Financial resources and revenue generation form the foundation of activities for any organization, including sports organizations, and are a primary requirement for organizing and managing all sports activities. Sports federations are among the most important organizations and pillars of sport, acting as governing bodies for sports disciplines at national and international levels. Today, sports federations have become significant players in the global economy and function as business platforms.
The Wrestling Federation, as one of Iran's most successful sports federations, faces financial constraints like others and requires the creation of sustainable revenue sources. A review of existing research indicates that, in Iran, no study has specifically investigated revenue generation in wrestling. Previous research has primarily emphasized a general examination of factors influencing federation performance and financial affairs. Furthermore, differences across disciplines—including levels of popularity, diversity in fan base size, inflation, and disparities in access to infrastructure—mean that revenue generation factors vary significantly among federations. Consequently, a case-specific study of individual federations is essential. Accordingly, this research examines and proposes a model for sustainable revenue generation within the Wrestling Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
 
 
Methods
This study is qualitative in structure and nature, employing the grounded theory approach and the structured paradigm model of Strauss and Corbin (1990) to develop the research model. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 wrestling elites and experts. Purposive sampling was employed, which continued via snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved in the interview and data collection processes.
Data analysis followed a data-driven approach using a three-stage coding process (open, axial, and selective) to identify the central phenomenon as well as causal, contextual, and intervening conditions, along with strategies and outcomes.
To ensure validity and reliability, structured processes were implemented, including consistent interviewers, identical core questions, and systematic procedures for recording, transcribing, and interpreting data. To verify coding consistency and data validity, the reliability coefficient and Scott's Pi test were utilized. This test measures inter-coder agreement. After initial coding by the primary researcher, 20% of the interview content was selected and independently re-coded by a second coder. Based on the agreed-upon categories, an inter-coder reliability coefficient of 83.3% was achieved. The relevant calculation is presented below.
 
Results
During the coding stage, 125 initial independent codes were generated. Analysis revealed that the most frequent and focused themes were marketing and attention to the federation's stakeholders, with most suggestions and comments revolving around these two areas. Consequently, the central phenomenon of the model was identified as "Marketing and Stakeholder Management." In other words, taking action related to marketing and engaging with the federation's stakeholders constitutes the primary focus for creating sustainable revenue.
Following data coding, components related to causal, contextual, and intervening conditions, strategies, and outcomes were identified and categorized as follows:
· Causal Conditions: Eighteen codes were identified as causal conditions that drive or compel efforts toward developing sustainable revenue generation in the wrestling federation. These were categorized into four concepts: rising inflation, instability in government support for wrestling, the role of credit in developing processes and performance, and increasing competitor capabilities.
· Contextual Conditions: These encompass specific variables that, alongside intervening conditions, influence strategies related to the central phenomenon. Twenty codes for contextual factors were grouped into four concepts: public interest in wrestling, lack of a revenue-generation mindset, relative support for wrestling, and the sport's attractiveness in Iran.
· Intervening Conditions: These are general conditions that, combined with contextual factors, affect sustainable revenue-generation strategies. Sixteen codes were identified as intervening factors and categorized into four concepts: weakness in program-centric planning, reluctance to achieve independence, insufficient media support, and an unfavorable business environment.
· Strategies: These represent the interactions and activities adopted in response to the central phenomenon, influenced by intervening and contextual conditions. Forty-nine codes for strategies were grouped into nine concepts: program-centricity, promoting wrestling, legal support, free access to facilities, establishing productive institutions, developing sports events, empowering human resources, expanding product and service sales, and developing marketing.
Outcomes: These are the results of implementing the strategies for sustainable revenue generation. Twenty-one codes were summarized as outcomes and categorized into five concepts: improved national and international wrestling performance, social development through wrestling, sustainable growth of wrestling, self-sufficiency and independence of wrestling, and increased satisfaction and commitment.
 
Conclusion
This study developed a model for creating sustainable revenue for the Wrestling Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The model encompasses causal factors and drivers that clarify the necessity of moving toward revenue generation. By explaining the contexts for developing revenue generation, it outlines intervening factors and, by proposing development solutions, specifies the ultimate outcomes. Finally, it should be emphasized that the developmental path identified by this research is broad, and future studies can focus in-depth on each of the factors identified here.
 
Article Message
Improving national and international wrestling performance will foster both the quantitative growth and qualitative development of the sport. This growth and development will lead to better competitive results and an enhanced global ranking for Iran. Furthermore, improving revenue generation within the wrestling federation can contribute to social development, the sustainable growth of wrestling, the sport's self-sufficiency and independence, and increased satisfaction and commitment among human resources and fans.
Ethical Considerations
This study was conducted in compliance with all relevant ethical standards in sports management research.
Authors’ Contributions
This article is derived from a master's thesis. In accordance with university regulations, the student, supervisor, and advisor contributed to the compilation of this article.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest pertaining to this publication.