This website uses cookies.

By clicking the "Accept" button or continuing to browse our site, you agree to first-party and session-only cookies being stored on your device to enhance site navigation and analyze site performance and traffic. For more information on our use of cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.

  1. Home
  2. Journals
  3. Journal of Economic Literature
  4. December 2003
  5. The Economic Design of Sporting Contests

The Economic Design of Sporting Contests

Download Full Text PDF

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on commercial sport through the lens of the economic theory of contests/tournaments. It seeks to draw together research on incentives in individualistic sports such as golf and footraces with the research on uncertainty of outcome and competitive balance in team sports such as baseball and soccer. The contest framework is used to analyze issues such as the optimal distribution of prizes, the impact of revenue sharing, salary caps, draft rules, and a variety of other restraints commonly employed in sports leagues. The paper draws heavily on a comparative analysis of contest organization, in particular between North America and Europe.

Citation

Szymanski, Stefan. 2003. "The Economic Design of Sporting Contests." Journal of Economic Literature, 41 (4): 1137-1187. DOI: 10.1257/002205103771800004

JEL Classification

  • L83 Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism