IN EUROPE AND OTHER SPORT
Supporter ownership isn't just limited to the UK, it is a trend in Europe as well. And not only in football do the supporters own their club; there's a whole host of sports teams who are backed and run by their own fanbase.
The Supporters Direct Europe began working in 2007, with a feasibility study funded by UEFA at the time. Since the inaugral introuction of Supporters Direct Europe, they have worked in over 20 countries.
The most noteable side to be owned by their fans in the world is Barcelona; it's an impressive feat that the Catalan giants are run the way they are considering their achievements. Other big name sides that are supporter owned in Europe are Athletic Bilbao, Real Oviedo, and Rapid Vienna. In some countries, almost all teams are run by its members, such as Turkey.
The most high profile competitive league to implement strict member ownership rules is the German professional football leagues. German fans are often praised for their atmospheres and attendences and it is probably no coincidence this is because of the relationship they have with their club board. In Germany a majority control by a single entity is not permitted and is in fact German law for clubs to adhere to. The law states that each registered club in Deutschland must have seven members.
And in Sweden, all sports clubs are run by its members but the Swedish Sports Confederation allows clubs to create limited companies together with investors as long as the club controls a majority of the votes.
In America, the Green Bay Packers are the USA's fan owned team in any of the nations top four traditional major leagues. The Packers have been a community owned organisation since 1923 and NFL rules actually block fan ownership currently, however the Packers are allowed to remain as they are.
Around the world there are sports clubs that play rugby league, ice hockey, Australian football, and basketball that have a fan ownership and it is great to see this particular notion of supporter owmership has been picked up by so many countries.