UGA Bulletin

Course Description

Economic analysis of sports teams, leagues, and institutions. Topics include antitrust issues, the alleged cartel of sports leagues, public funding of sports venues, labor relations, player drafts, athlete compensation, wagering markets, and the general application of economic principles to sport settings and events.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students are expected to achieve standards of scholarship consistent with study at the masters level. Such students will be expected to read more extensively and integrate materials more thoroughly, and will be graded with higher standards and expectations. Examples include additional readings summarized in a written report, a careful review of primary research with an application to a relevant topic, or other projects that apply knowledge gained to specific problems.

Athena Title

Sports Economics

Prerequisite

ECON 4010

Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student learning Outcomes

Students will apply microeconomic theory and game theory to analyze strategic decisions made by teams, leagues, and players.
Students will use econometric and quantitative methods to analyze data on sports markets—such as attendance, ticket prices, player salaries, and team performance—and by drawing evidence-based conclusions about market behavior.
Students will evaluate the social and economic consequences of public policies in sports—such as stadium subsidies, relocation decisions, and antitrust exemptions—on taxpayers, communities, and competitive balance.

Topical Outline

The supply and demand for sports
Broadcasting rights
Winning and team profits
Team locations and expansions
Competitive balance
Sports labor economics
Sports venues
Antitrust and competition
Application of economic principles to sports

Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

Syllabus

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