Global socio-economic fluctuations, natural disasters, health crises, and rapid technological transformations have increasingly exposed sports organizations to complex and uncertain management environments. Within this context, crisis management and leadership practices in sports management have become essential components for ensuring organizational resilience and sustainability. Effective decision-making, timely action-taking, and trust-based communication with stakeholders are among the core responsibilities of leaders during crisis periods. This conceptual study aims to examine crisis management strategies and leadership approaches within the field of sports management by analyzing current literature and highlighting effective practices.

The paper explores how various leadership styles—such as transformational, situational, and ethical leadership—contribute to navigating crises. It discusses the phases of crisis management, including pre-crisis preparedness, crisis response, and post-crisis recovery. Drawing from contemporary case studies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the study evaluates how sports organizations responded to unforeseen disruptions and which leadership competencies proved most effective. Findings indicate that sports managers must adopt a holistic leadership approach that not only focuses on operational success but also emphasizes psychological resilience and organizational cohesion.

Ultimately, the study underscores the critical importance of strategic leadership and proactive crisis management in building robust and adaptable structures within sports organizations. As the sports industry continues to face multidimensional challenges, leadership capabilities that foster agility, communication, and stakeholder trust will be paramount in navigating future uncertainties.