The rapidly developing and globalizing structure of the sports sector demands not only commercial success but also a leadership approach that is sensitive to social values ​​and ethical in behavior from managers. Ethical leadership enables sports managers to set an example for their followers by prioritizing honesty, consistency and social benefit in their decision-making processes. Corporate social responsibility, on the other hand, enables sports organizations to contribute to social development by strengthening their ties with society. It is emphasized in the literature that ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility are complementary concepts; these concepts can be effectively applied in sports management thanks to the unifying power of sports.

Leaders with ethical values ​​adopt social responsibility activities not only as a strategic choice but also as a moral imperative. When sports managers adopt an ethical leadership approach, they build trust not only among internal stakeholders such as athletes, coaches and employees, but also among external stakeholders such as fans, media and the general public. Conducting corporate social responsibility practices in parallel with ethical leadership allows sports organizations to stay away from superficial and reputation-focused practices such as “sportswashing”.