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College Football Games and Crime

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel I. Rees

    (University of Colorado Denver, Daniel.Rees@ucdenver.edu)

  • Kevin T. Schnepel

    (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Abstract

There is a great deal of anecdotal evidence that college football games can lead to aggressive and destructive behavior by fans. However, to date, no empirical study has attempted to document the magnitude of this phenomenon. We match daily data on offenses from the National Incident-Based Reporting System to 26 Division I-A college football programs to estimate the relationship between college football games and crime. Our results suggest that the host community registers sharp increases in assaults, vandalism, arrests for disorderly conduct, and arrests for alcohol-related offenses on game days. Upsets are associated with the largest increases in the number of expected offenses.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel I. Rees & Kevin T. Schnepel, 2009. "College Football Games and Crime," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 10(1), pages 68-87, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:10:y:2009:i:1:p:68-87
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002508327389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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