In a changing and complex environment, international sport
federations (IFs) have to face new challenges. These challenges can
trigger or hinder IFs’ professionalization processes. While
researchers have examined organizational change and
professionalization of national sport federations (NFs) and clubs,
studies on IFs are rare. Considering professionalization as an
important element of IFs’ change processes in recent years, the
study attempts to fill this gap. The conceptual framework is based
on the concepts and dynamics of organizational change, the
influence of isomorphic pressures and the operationalization of a
multi-level framework. Data from six case studies was analyzed by
means of qualitative content analysis. Findings reveal multiple
causes of IFs’ professionalization. Three particular findings are
discussed: professionalization as a dynamic process with phases of
acceleration that vary depending on IFs’ size; IFs’ becoming
increasingly business-like through isomorphic changes; and five
causes of particular relevance to IFs’ current professionalization
process.