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Exit Discrimination in the NFL: A Duration Analysis of Career Length

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  • Johnny Ducking
  • Peter Groothuis
  • James Hill

Abstract

Exit discrimination is defined as the involuntary termination of employment due to racial characteristics holding productivity constant. We test for exit discrimination in the National Football League (NFL) using a panel study on career length. Our analysis focuses on six positional groups: defensive backs, defensive linemen, linebackers, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers. In our analysis, in addition to race, we include performance variables to determine their importance in determining career length. Using both parametric and semi-parametric hazard models, we find no evidence of exit discrimination in the NFL. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Johnny Ducking & Peter Groothuis & James Hill, 2015. "Exit Discrimination in the NFL: A Duration Analysis of Career Length," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 42(3), pages 285-299, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:blkpoe:v:42:y:2015:i:3:p:285-299
    DOI: 10.1007/s12114-014-9207-9
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Discrimination; National football league; Hazard model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand

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