Payame Noor University Applied Research of Sport Management 2345-5551 13 4 2025 03 21 Explaining the Transfer Model of the Players in the Iranian Premier League Explaining the Transfer Model of the Players in the Iranian Premier League 69 82 11091 10.30473/arsm.2024.66747.3744 FA Salah Naghshbandi Associate Professor, Department of Sports Management, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0002-2588-3677 Ali Dehghani MSc, Department of Sports Management, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Parivash Norouzi Ph.D. Student, Department of Sports Management, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2023 01 15 The primary aim of the present study was to design a model of player transfers in the Iranian Premier Football League. This applied research employs a qualitative methodology based on grounded theory. The study population consisted of published documents related to player transfers in the Iranian Premier League and 15 experts. To select a sample from this population, purposive (non-probabilistic) sampling was used, and theoretical sampling was subsequently employed to ensure sample adequacy. For data collection, in-depth interviews were conducted. To ensure validity and reliability, the coding process was reviewed; results were confirmed through member checking with interviewees; peer confirmation (including by the thesis supervisor) was obtained; qualitative analysis was performed; and the adequacy of referenced sources was verified. For data analysis, MAXQDA (version 2018) software was used. The open coding process yielded 52 initial codes from the analysis of interviews and documents. Axial coding resulted in eight categories: Transfer Market; Player Price; Economic Factors; Legal Infrastructure; Marketing Actions; Club Foresight; Relations and Cooperation; and Formal Contracting. Finally, selective coding revealed three core perspectives: economic, legal and regulatory, and developmental. Given that pursuing a developmental perspective is a complex, time-consuming, and costly process requiring the achievement of an optimal outcome, it is recommended that this perspective be further strengthened. To this end, experiences from countries with established expertise in this area should be leveraged. The primary aim of the present study was to design a model of player transfers in the Iranian Premier Football League. This applied research employs a qualitative methodology based on grounded theory. The study population consisted of published documents related to player transfers in the Iranian Premier League and 15 experts. To select a sample from this population, purposive (non-probabilistic) sampling was used, and theoretical sampling was subsequently employed to ensure sample adequacy. For data collection, in-depth interviews were conducted. To ensure validity and reliability, the coding process was reviewed; results were confirmed through member checking with interviewees; peer confirmation (including by the thesis supervisor) was obtained; qualitative analysis was performed; and the adequacy of referenced sources was verified. For data analysis, MAXQDA (version 2018) software was used. The open coding process yielded 52 initial codes from the analysis of interviews and documents. Axial coding resulted in eight categories: Transfer Market; Player Price; Economic Factors; Legal Infrastructure; Marketing Actions; Club Foresight; Relations and Cooperation; and Formal Contracting. Finally, selective coding revealed three core perspectives: economic, legal and regulatory, and developmental. Given that pursuing a developmental perspective is a complex, time-consuming, and costly process requiring the achievement of an optimal outcome, it is recommended that this perspective be further strengthened. To this end, experiences from countries with established expertise in this area should be leveraged. https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_11091_ccfbf109d0d64b154241e2ef6a298cdb.pdf