Why Do Economists Study Sports Teams When Looking for Evidence

question 369

Multiple Choice

Why do economists study sports teams when looking for evidence of labor-market discrimination?

• A)because the salaries paid to professional athletes exhibit the superstar phenomenon, which is highly correlated with discrimination
• B)because all four United States professional sports leagues (football, basketball, hockey, and baseball) require discrimination studies every five years
• C)because nonwhites comprise a majority of starters for many professional sports teams
• D)because the wide availability of performance statistics allows economists to control for individual player productivity in ways that are difficult to do for other types of firms

---

Definitions:

Trinity

In Christian doctrine, the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead.

Jesuits

A Catholic religious order founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola, known for its emphasis on education, missionary work, and cultural influence.

Puritan Authorities

The leaders and officials within Puritan communities, especially in the 17th century, who enforced strict religious and social codes of conduct.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

A 17th-century British settlement in New England that became one of the early centers of the colony's government, trade, and religion.