The Economics of Football / Edition 2

by Stephen Dobson, John Goddard

Overview

The second edition of this popular book presents a detailed economic analysis of professional football at club level, with new material included to reflect the development of the economics of professional football over the past ten years. Using a combination of economic reasoning and statistical and econometric analysis, the authors build upon the successes and strengths of the first edition to guide readers through the economic complexities and peculiarities of English club football. It uses a wide range of international comparisons to help emphasize both the broader relevance as well as the unique characteristics of the English experience. Topics covered include some of the most hotly debated issues currently surrounding professional football, including player salaries, the effects of management on team performance, betting on football, racial discrimination and the performance of football referees. This edition also features new chapters on the economics of international football, including the World Cup.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521517140
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/10/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	474
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.80(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Stephen Dobson is Professor of Economics at Nottingham Trent University.

John Goddard is Professor of Financial Economics at Bangor Business School, Bangor University.

Table of Contents

List of figures; List of tables; 1. Introduction; 2. The economic theory of professional sports leagues; 3. Competitive balance, uncertainty of outcome and home-field advantage; 4. Forecasting models for football match results; 5. Game theory and football games; 6. English professional football: historical development and commercial structure; 7. Determinants of football players' salaries; 8. Professional footballers: employment patterns and racial discrimination; 9. The football manager; 10. Football referees; 11. Spectator demand for football; 12. Gambling on football; 13. All around the world: club football in France, Germany, Brazil, Japan and China; 14. The economics of the World Cup; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Professors Dobson and Goddard have improved on their already excellent treatment of what the world calls football. Whether it is revenue structure, player salaries or management performance, their combination of sharp economic reasoning and statistical enlightenment cut through complex issues with laser precision. Required reading for those truly interested in the international football scene." - Rodney Fort, Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

"This volume contains a wealth of information and will make a fascinating read for policy makers and football fans. The book is also great resource for academics and students who are interested in football as a setting for both teaching and research. The authors successfully blend theoretical reasoning with empirical analyses, which distinguishes this book from many others." - Ruud Koning, Professor of Sports Economics, University of Groningen

From the Publisher