Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/72211 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
UCD Centre for Economic Research Working Paper Series No. WP11/18
Publisher: 
University College Dublin, UCD School of Economics, Dublin
Abstract: 
Rugby union only went professional in 1995, much later than other major team sports resulting in major changes in league structures. Different arrangements regarding revenue sharing and salary caps between the three main European rugby leagues provides an opportunity to test the impact of such factors on competitive balance. The paper also considers the issue of competitive balance between leagues based on performances in European competitions. It has been argued that soccer's rules which require leagues to operate along national lines increased competitive imbalance at both national and European level. Rugby provides an interesting comparison as it has no such restrictions.
Subjects: 
Professional team sports
competitive balance
league structures
Coase Theorem
collective selling
broadcast rights
salary caps
JEL: 
D02
D21
D23
K21
L14
L22
L23
L83
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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