Behavioural Sports Economics

Economists have entered into the realm of sports to provide what they believe to be more cogent explanations for sport-related behaviour and to suggest ways in which incentives can improve sports outcomes. But prices and income, the traditional workhorses of conventional economics, can only provide partial explanations and understandings. Drawing on a bounded rationality approach to behavioural economics, this book demonstrates the analytical insights to be gained by supplementing the conventional economics toolbox with psychological, cognitive, sociological, and institutional factors. The international cast list of contributors cover a wide range of sports topics on which a behavioural approach can reveal new insights. These include preferences, managerial, efficiency, choking, doping, favouritism, athlete well- being, and spectator behaviour. Throughout the book, there is an emphasis on the cognitive limits to smart decision-making as well as the critical role played by the decision-making environment. This volume demonstrates that adopting a bounded rationality approach, complimented with other behaviouralist approaches, helps to better explain sport-related behavioural, sub-optimal behavioural, and market failures. It also provides insights that could be used to improve sports outcomes and the well-being of those involved in sports and to better configure policy to enhance sports performance. This groundbreaking book will be an indispensable reference to students and scholars of sports economics, sports management, and sports science.

Sports economics has become increasingly more statistically-driven and more open to behavioral economics. This shift away from traditional theory is reflected in this modern text as it uses sports statistics and real-world narratives to walk students through how conclusions are reached in recent research.

Sports Economics is the ideal introduction for all sport management and sport policy students and those for whom economics is a relatively new area of study. The book will also provide an ideal introduction to sports economics for economics students new to the area. Specifically designed to make economics accessible the context of sport is the focus of analysis, ensuring that this book is lively, accessible and approachable. The full scope of the sports economy is examined, covering the three main arenas in which sport takes place - mass participation, professional sports and sports events. The key elements of the economic representation of these three markets are considered, such as the underlying demand for and supply of these sports, together with the main policy issues affecting them Whilst truly international in scope, it focuses particularly on specific comparisons between the US, the UK and mainland Europe. The breadth of discussion and international emphasis is brought to life by a detailed discussion of the evidence throughout the book to illustrate the key themes discussed – ideal for both lecturer and student. Reflection questions and boxes are also used in chapters to prompt the reader to think about specific points as well as to provide the context for specific theoretical or empirical contributions that have been used to analyze sport.

The wealth of data available on sports makes the industry a singular laboratory for observing economic and business behavior and theory. This unique reference on sports economics research provides a detailed perspective on the current state of the discipline. Covering both team and individual sports that include tennis, golf, and motor racing, the handbook explores what we know, what we do not know, what is stable, what is changing, what is certain, and what is controversial in sports economics. The expert contributors address issues in particular sports or comparisons among sports along major topics such as revenue and costs, labor markets, market structure, market outcomes, and public policy.

Shmanske and Kahane have organized over 50 essays from prominent Sports Economists into two volumes around two related themes. This second volume explains how sports helps economics via quality data used to test a variety of economic theories.