Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (1)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Noll, R. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Related Collections
Right arrow D82 - Asymmetric and Private Information
Right arrow L83 - Sports; Gambling; Recreation; Tourism
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

OXFORD REVIEW OF ECONOMIC POLICY, VOL. 19, NO. 4, PP. 530-551
© 2003 Oxford University Press and the Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited

The Organization of Sports Leagues

Roger G. Noll
Stanford University1

Abstract

Sports leagues have been organized in many different ways. This essay examines the incentive structure and efficiency of different forms of league organization, including the methods for scheduling games, admitting new members, and making operational decisions. The article also compares operations and outcomes in Europe and North America, and concludes that the European system of promotions and relegation is superior to the closed structure of American leagues, and that the American system of multiple parallel leagues to determine qualifications and seeding in a post-season tournament is efficiency enhancing. The article also discusses the optimal size and number of leagues, and concludes that both the European and American systems produce too few major-league teams, largely because they have permitted major leagues to be monopolies.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.