Contents for IJSF Issue 8:1

Entire issue of IJSF 8:1
Authors: Ajit Karnik, Rodney J. Paul, Andrew P. Weinbach, Daniel Robbins, Daam Van Reeth, Randy R. Grant, John C. Leadley, Zenon X. Zygmont, Peter Dawson, Paul Downward
Abstract:This is the entire issue in PDF format that you can download

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Pricing of Cricketers: The Experience of Two IPL Auctions, pp. 3-20
Authors: Ajit Karnik
Abstract:There have been two major auctions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) of cricket. Since 2008, three IPL tournaments have also taken place. We first estimate hedonic price equations for the auction of 2011. We find that runs scored in the shorter formats of the game, wickets taken in Test cricket, age of the player, and nationality of the player are important determinants. We investigate whether our equations suffer from a sample selection bias employing Heckman selection methods. Hedonic price equations for the auction of 2008 are also estimated using the specification used for the 2011 auction. This helps us examine if the valuation of players has undergone a change between the two auctions. By and large, the process of valuing players has remained unchanged. Finally, we examine if the availability of information on performance in IPL tournaments makes a difference to player valuations. We find this to be the case.

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American Hockey League Attendance: A Study of Fan Preferences for Fighting, Team Performance, and Promotions, pp. 21-38
Authors: Rodney J. Paul, Andrew P. Weinbach, and Daniel Robbins
Abstract:Due to recent deaths of known enforcers in professional hockey, the role of fighting in the sport has come under increased scrutiny. This study examines the role of fighting, along with other factors, as it relates to attendance in the top developmental minor league for the NHL, the American Hockey League (AHL). AHL fans are shown to respond favorably to fighting, with more fans attending games when the home team fights more often. Fans are also shown to respond to the opponent and to a wide of promotions, which were tabulated from team websites and included in the model.

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TV Demand for the Tour de France: The Importance of Stage Characteristics versus Outcome Uncertainty, Patriotism, and Doping, pp. 39-60
Authors: Daam Van Reeth
Abstract:This paper analyzes TV demand for cycling in Flanders. Using data for 338 Tour de France broadcasts, average and peak TV audience per stage is estimated by an OLS regression model. A first set of independent variables measures the importance of stage scheduling and includes variables that define the stage type and date, as determined by the race organizer. A second set of variables consists of stage features out of control of the race organizer. These variables measure the importance of outcome uncertainty, patriotism, doping, and substitute activities. Our findings suggest that TV viewership of cycling is largely determined by stage characteristics. On a much smaller scale are viewing habits driven by race developments. We also find evidence of a negative impact of the release of doping news on viewership.

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Just Win Baby? Determinants of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Coaching Compensation, pp. 61-74
Authors: Randy R. Grant, John C. Leadley and Zenon X. Zygmont
Abstract:The paper estimates the key determinants of compensation for head football coaches in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision (the former D-IA) during the years 2006- 2010. Coaching compensation is regressed on variables capturing a coach’s personal characteristics, productivity, and institutional characteristics. The results yield seven important explanatory variables. Four are coach specific: BCS ranking, recruiting success, lifetime winning percentage, and years of experience. The remaining three are institutional: football revenue, enrollment, and graduation rate. No estimate of a compensation function for a head football coach has appeared previously in the literature.

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The Relationship Between Participation in Sport and Sport Volunteering: An Economic Analysis, pp. 75-92
Authors: Peter Dawson and Paul Downward
Abstract:This paper explores the relationship between participation in sport as a consumer activity and sport volunteering as a producer activity. Using data from the Taking Part Survey, evidence is found that the decision to engage in sports participation and sports volunteering as well as the duration of the activities are complementary. In general, the findings confirm the well-established impacts of human and economic capital on engagement in sports-related activities, as well as the availability of time. However, there is evidence of the shifting roles of consumption and production of sport as family commitments change while differential effects are also found with respect to ethnicity, health, and the accessibility of sports facilities.

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