The Econometrics of Sport

The study of sport in the economy presents a rich arena for the application of sharply focused microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics to both team and individual outcomes. This unique book offers a survey of recent research that follows the tradition of empirical and theoretical analysis of sport economics and econometrics.

Including contributions by many of the leading experts in the field, the authors address four central branches, namely: competitive balance, labor relations, attendance and demand, and the economic impact of sport in communities.

A wide range of topics is explored within these themes, including:

the effect of uncertainty of outcome on attendance

players' labor markets, wages and team performance

variations in fan loyalty between teams and through time

the determinants of soccer match attendance.

Case studies of Major League Baseball, the National Football League (NFL) and college athletics in the US, the English Premier League, the Spanish football league and other (major and minor) European football leagues underpin the discussion.

This important book will prove to be a fascinating and stimulating read for academics, researchers and students interested in the econometric analysis of sport.

Contributors: G.M. Ahlfeldt, J. Baños, R. Baumann, D.J. Berri, R. Fort, B. Frick, J. García, W. Greene, B.R. Humphreys, L. Kahane, G. Kavetsos, S. Késenne, Y.H. Lee, N. Longley, V.A. Matheson, R.G. Noll, P. Rodríguez, R. Simmons, S. Szymanski, J. Vrooman