Sports Economics

Roger D. Blair is Walter J. Matherly Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Florida, where he has taught since 1970. He received his PhD from Michigan State University. Professor Blair is the author or co-author of numerous books, including Antitrust Economics (with David Kaserman), Law and Economics of Vertical Integration and Control (with David Kaserman), Monopsony: Antitrust Law and Economics (with Jeffrey Harrison), Monopsony in Law and Economics (with Jeffrey Harrison, Cambridge, 2010), Intellectual Property: Economic and Legal Dimensions of Rights and Remedies (with Thomas Cotter, Cambridge, 2005), The Economics of Franchising (with Francine Lafontaine, Cambridge, 2005) and Volume 2 of Antitrust Law (with Herbert Hovenkamp, Christine Durrance and Philip Areeda). He is also the editor or co-editor of many volumes, including Proving Antitrust Damages. Professor Blair has written more than 170 articles or chapters in professional economics journals, law reviews and books.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction to sports economics; Part II. The Sports Business: 2. The business of sports; 3. Sports leagues and organizations; 4. Competitive balance; 5. Pricing decisions; 6. Advertising in the sports industry; 7. The market for sports broadcasting rights; 8. Insuring player talent; 9. Sports leagues and antitrust policy; Part III. Image and Integrity: 10. Sports gambling; 11. Cheating in sports; 12. Misconduct and discipline; 13. Steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs; Part IV. Facilities, Franchises, and Public Policy: 14. Competition for sports franchises and events; 15. Economic impact of sports events; 16. Financing sports facilities; Part V. Sports Labor Market: 17. Salary determination: competition and monopsony; 18. The NCAA as a collusive monopsony; 19. Salary determination: bidding and bargaining; 20. Economic value of multi-year contracts; 21. Final offer arbitration in major league baseball; 22. Players' unions and collective bargaining; 23. The role of sports agents; 24. Should an athlete turn pro 'early'?; 25. Discrimination in sports.