The sports industry presents many unusual and interesting opportunities for the application of economic theory and econometrics. In 15 professional papers, this book addresses current economic issues in the industry, including the problem of competitive balance, the location of professional sports teams and their impact on local communities, managerial decision making, and issues related to labor markets. Extending the previous research in sports economics, the papers reflect the most recent applications of economic theory in this area. The book will be a valuable resource for professional economists working on sports economics topics.In two opening chapters on competitive balance, the contributors develop a model for college football and examine the impact of balance on attendance in major league baseball. In a section on the location of professional sports teams, the chapters then develop a model to predict the location of expansion teams, make econometric estimates of the impact of Super Bowls on the host city, and analyze the ownership of stadiums and arenas. Managerial decision making is discussed in chapters that examine alternative econometric models of production in baseball, use a production function model to analyze technological change in Major League Baseball, examine the management of team streaks, consider the competitive balance between American and National Leagues, analyze the efficiency of player trades in the National Basketball Association, and estimate the impact of participation in inter-collegiate sports on academic performance. In the final section on labor markets, the contributors estimate the impact of owner collusion on baseball players' salaries, consider the impact of the new collective bargaining agreement in Major League Baseball, analyze the impact of being a union representative, and examine the impact of the National Football League's salary cap on player's salaries.

Extends previous research in sports economics and provides a valuable resource for professional economists working on sports economics topics.

PrefaceIntroductionAn Overview of Sports Economics: Current Research by John Fizel, Elizabeth Gustafson, and Lawrence HadleySports Leagues and MarketsThe College Football Industry by Rodney Fort and James QuirkA Test of the Optimal Positive Production Network Externality in Major League Baseball by Daniel RascherThe Location of Teams and StadiumsEmerging Markets in Baseball: An Econometric Model for Predicting the Expansion Teams' New Cities by Thomas H. Bruggink and Justin M. ZamparelliMega-Sports Events as Municipal Investments: A Critique of Impact Analysis by Philip PorterBaseball and Basketball Stadium Ownership and Franchise Incentives to Relocate by Gerard C. S. Mildner and James G. StrathmanManagerial Decisions: Inputs and OutputsAlternative Econometric Models of Production in Major League Baseball by Elizabeth Gustafson, Lawrence Hadley, and John RuggieroTechnological Change and Transition in the Winning Function for Major League Baseball by Thomas H. BrugginkStreak Management by Rodney Fort and Robert RosenmanTrading Players in the National Basketball Association: For Better or Worse? by David J. Berri and Stacey L. BrookThe Benefit of the Designated Hitter in Professional Baseball by Craig A. Depken, IIParticipation in Collegiate Athletics and Academic Performance by John Fizel and Timothy SmabyLabor Market Issues in Professional Team SportsDid Collusion Adversely Affect Outcomes in the Baseball Players' Labor Market?: A Panel Study of Salary Determination from 1986 to 1992 by Timothy Hylan, Maureen Lage, and Michael TregliaBaseball's New Collective Bargaining Agreement: How Will It Affect the National Pastime? by Daniel Marburger"These People Aren't Very Big on Player Reps": Career Length, Mobility, and Union Activism in Major League Baseball by Donald CoffinThe Impact of the Salary Cap and Free Agency on the Structure and Distribution of Salaries in the NFL by Sandra Kowalewski and Michael A. LeedsBibliographyIndex.