The motivations of esports players

The motivations of esports players (from the book Understanding esports: An introduction to the global phenomenon) David P. Hedlund ABSTRACT Since the early 2000s, several inquiries have focused on...

Inclusion of electronic sport in the Olympic Games for the right (or wrong) reasons

Inclusion of electronic sport in the Olympic Games for the right (or wrong) reasons Simon M. Pack and David P. Hedlund ABSTRACT With so many popular and unique sports played around the world, one of...

Conceptualising and Measuring Fan Identity using Stakeholder Theory

Conceptualising and Measuring Fan Identity Using Stakeholder Theory Rui Biscaia, David P. Hedlund, Geoff Dickson and Michael Naylor ABSTRACT Research question: Building on identity...

National Coaching Standards: Perceptions and the Undertaking of Core Responsibilities by Beginner, Intermediate and Elite Sport Coaches

In recent years, the responsibilities of sport coaches have expanded to include more than just directing practices, overseeing training and game management. As a result, a greater focus is being...

The use of DISC behavioral profiling and training: An innovative pedagogical strategy to enhance learning and future career opportunities through sport management and sport coaching in higher education classrooms

Elizabeth M. MasenUniversity of the Sunshine Coast David P. Hedlund, Ph.D.St. John’s University Jacob K. Tingle, Ed.D.*Trinity University Abstract:...

Determinants impacting why college sports fans purchase merchandise

Determinants impacting why college sports fans purchase merchandise David P. Hedlund and Michael E. Naylor ABSTRACT Despite the importance of understanding the factors impacting the purchase of...

Team Identification Full Circle

THE IMPORTANCE OF COGNITION, EVALUATION AND AFFECT Michael Naylor David Hedlund Geoff Dickson ABSTRACT Fans’ psychological connection to teams has long been of interest to sport...

Introduction to the Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports

David P. Hedlund, Ph.D. "Welcome to the inaugural article published in the Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports (JEGE). It is my honor to have been selected as the founding editor-in-chief of...

Comparing Sport Coaches’ and Administrators’ Perceptions of the National Standards for Sport Coaches

Comparing Sport Coaches’ and Administrators’ Perceptions of the National Standards for Sport Coaches David P. Hedlund, Carol A. Fletcher, and Sean Dahlin ABSTRACT The purpose of this...

Ignition tradition? A case study of the Florida State University Athletics Department’s 2014 logo redesign

Ignition tradition? A case study of the Florida State University Athletics Department’s 2014 logo redesign David P. Hedlund Brian S. Gordon Masayuki Yoshida...

David P. Hedlund, Ph.D.

Sport Management, Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Coaching, Analytics and Esports Professor and Consultant


David P. Hedlund, Ph.D. is a Full Professor and the Chairperson of the Division of Sport Management at St. John’s University in New York City. Dr. Hedlund earned his Ph.D. and a certificate in Measurement and Statistics from Florida State University.  He has more than 20 years of domestic and international experience in sports, esports, coaching, business, education and analytics. His areas of sport expertise and research include management, marketing, consumer behavior, sponsorship, coaching, esports and analytics. Dr. Hedlund also is a faculty advisor for esports at St. John’s University, an advisor for the student Sport Management Association, the Co-Moderator for the Gaming and Emerging Technology co-curricular club, in addition to numerous other service roles.

Dr. Hedlund is the lead editor and author of the first-of-its-kind textbook “Esports Business Management,” he is the founding Chief Editor of the Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, and he is a member of the Esports Research Network.

Outside of the university, Dr. Hedlund has also acted as a consultant for dozens of domestic and international high school, college, and professional esports teams as well as business and entrepreneurial ventures.  He is a globally recognized speaker and has spoken at international esports events such as the World Cyber Games and the Global Esports Executive Summit. Dr. Hedlund also works with collegiate and professional sport organizations on numerous analytics projects, while also educating students about current issues and opportunities in sports analytics, esports, entrepreneurship and other opportunities.

Dr. Hedlund is also a managing partner of Hedlund-Chuang Consulting Group, LLC.