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Title
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The optimal size of a sports league
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Author
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Abstract
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| In this contribution, we try to investigate, based on a simple theoretical model, what the optimal number of teams in a league is, taking into account the most important determinants of club revenue and fans utility. The number of teams fixed by a monopoly league representing the interests of the participating clubs is clearly smaller than the number of teams in the competitive free-entry market equilibrium. We have also tested, using European football data, whether the long-term equilibrium number of teams in the national top divisions has been determined by the market or by the insiders of the monopoly leagues. |
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Language
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English
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Source (series)
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Research paper; 2008,17
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Publication
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Antwerp
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UA, Faculty of Applied Economics
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2008
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Volume/pages
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16 p.
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Full text (open access)
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