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What Does Intercollegiate Athletics Do To or For Colleges and Universities?

Author

Listed:
  • Malcolm Getz

    (Department of Economics, Vanderbilt University)

  • John Siegfried

    (American Economic Association, Department of Economics, Vanderbilt University, University of Adelaide, South Australia)

Abstract

What tangible benefit do universities who participate in major televised sports achieve from their commitment? The essay reviews the evidence on the gains in public funding, attraction of philanthropy, increases in applicants and selectivity, and the influence on students. Ultimately, what is the opportunity cost of an institution's financial stake in what may be close to a zero sum game?

Suggested Citation

  • Malcolm Getz & John Siegfried, 2010. "What Does Intercollegiate Athletics Do To or For Colleges and Universities?," Vanderbilt University Department of Economics Working Papers 1005, Vanderbilt University Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:van:wpaper:1005
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    File URL: http://www.accessecon.com/pubs/VUECON/vu10-w05.pdf
    File Function: Revised version, May 2010
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Allen R. Sanderson & John J. Siegfried, 2015. "The Case for Paying College Athletes," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 29(1), pages 115-138, Winter.
    2. Adam Hoffer & Brad R. Humphreys & Donald J. Lacombe & Jane E. Ruseski, 2014. "The NCAA Athletics Arms Race: Theory and Evidence," Working Papers 14-29, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    3. Adam Hoffer & Brad R. Humphreys & Donald J. Lacombe & Jane E. Ruseski, 2015. "Trends in NCAA Athletic Spending," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 16(6), pages 576-596, August.
    4. Gary J. Colbert & E. Woodrow Eckard, 2015. "Do Colleges Get What They Pay For? Evidence on Football Coach Pay and Team Performance," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 16(4), pages 335-352, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sports; athletics; university; college; philanthropy; admissions; students;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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