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Economic Inequality and Convergence Through the Lens of Two Sports

Author

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  • Daryna Grechyna
  • Viktor Grechyn

Abstract

This paper analyzes the inequalities and convergence across countries using data on the top 100 players in chess and tennis. We explore the impact of time trends and exogenous global shocks on countries' representation in the top 100 players' lists in a manner akin to a natural experiment, comparing chess and tennis while distinguishing among different country income groups. The results indicate the presence of conditional convergence across countries in their representations in the top 100 chess players, but not in the top 100 tennis players. The availability of internet contributed to the reduction of inequalities in chess, a mind-dominated sport, but not in tennis, a wealth-dominated sport. Negative economic shocks, such as the Great Recession and the Covid pandemic, exacerbated the inequalities in tennis, but not in chess.

Suggested Citation

  • Daryna Grechyna & Viktor Grechyn, 2025. "Economic Inequality and Convergence Through the Lens of Two Sports," CESifo Working Paper Series 11796, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11796
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    Keywords

    economic convergence; income inequality; global shocks; FIDE chess; ATP tennis; sports.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • Z20 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - General

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