nep-spo New Economics Papers
on Sports and Economics
Issue of 2025–06–16
six papers chosen by
Humberto Barreto, DePauw University


  1. Ethnic Cues and Conflict-Triggered Harassment : Evidence from Soccer Fields By Cansunar, Asli; Kıbrıs, Arzu; Tokdemir, Efe
  2. Assistance-proofness By Ryoga Doi
  3. Spending Behavior and Economic Impacts of Urban Digital Consumption Vouchers By Ming-Huan Liou; Shou-Yung Yin; Hsiang-Wen Mao
  4. Strategic Effort and Bandwagon Effects in Finite Multi-Stage Games with Non-Linear Externalities: Evidence from Triathlon By Felix Reichel
  5. Simultaneous All-Pay Auctions with Budget Constraints By Yan Liu; Ying Qin; Zihe Wang
  6. Sport for Development and Peace Initiatives with Indigenous People: A systematic scoping review from international perspectives By Gadais, Tegwen; Asif, Umair; Pitre, Louis-Charles; Hozhabri, Kazem; Decarpentrie, Laurie; Garneau, Andrée Anne; Stewart-Withers, Rochelle; Hapeta, Jeremy; Cifuentes, Jairzinho Francisco Panqueba; McDonald, Brent

  1. By: Cansunar, Asli (University of Washington); Kıbrıs, Arzu (University of Warwick, Department of Politics and International Studies.); Tokdemir, Efe (Bilkent University, Türkiye)
    Abstract: The literature on in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination in political and economic contexts is extensive. However, we know little about how these biases manifest in everyday contact, where routines of civility may coexist with latent ethnic tensions, particularly in conflict-affected settings. Using data from the Turkish Third Soccer League during a period of ethnic insurgency (1990-2019), we examine whether local exposure to conflict, measured by funeral ceremonies for fallen Turkish security personnel, increases ethnic harassment. Soccer games offer a unique context in which groups interact under strong norms of friendly contact and non-discrimination, while funerals serve as localized, random shocks that heighten ethnic salience. Our findings show that Turkish teams exhibit increased harassment toward Kurdish opponents in the immediate aftermath of local conflict events. Additionally, Turkish referees are more likely to overlook this aggression. Moreover, the incidence of conflict-triggered harassment increases substantially in venues where voters express stronger nationalist sentiments.
    Keywords: ethnic harassment ; conflict ; inter-group bias ; sports and politics
    Date: 2025
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wrk:wqapec:28
  2. By: Ryoga Doi (Graduate School of Economics, Keio University and Junior Research Fellow, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration (RIEB), Kobe University, JAPAN)
    Abstract: We consider situations in which the final ranking of candidates is determined by rankings of multiple factors. For example, in Formula 1 racing, the annual ranking is determined by the results of many races. In sport climbing, the final ranking is determined by combining the results of two or three events. Dependent on rules that aggregate rankings across multiple factors, a candidate can improve the final position of a fellow candidate by holding back her performance without dropping the final position. We call the property of rules that prevent this kind of strategic manipulation assistance-proofness. We show that when there are four or more events, no scoring rule other than the null rule satisfies assistance-proofness. However, when there are two events, all dichotomous scoring rules satisfy assistance-proofness. For three events, we characterize a subclass of dichotomous scoring rules that satisfy assistanceproofness.
    Keywords: Assistance-proofness; Scoring rules; Voting; Strategic manipulation; Collusion
    JEL: D71 D72
    Date: 2025–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kob:dpaper:dp2025-12
  3. By: Ming-Huan Liou; Shou-Yung Yin; Hsiang-Wen Mao
    Abstract: This paper evaluates the Taipei Bear Vouchers 2.0 program using verified user-level survey data and a regional input-output model to assess the effectiveness of consumption vouchers as a fiscal stimulus tool. We focus on three key behavioral mechanisms: expenditure substitution, induced consumption, and the intensity of treatment through varying voucher face values. Our findings show that voucher effectiveness differs by type. Accommodation vouchers stimulate the most additional spending due to low expenditure substitution and high induced consumption effects, while sports vouchers often replace existing consumption. Increases in voucher value further enhance marginal consumption, especially when this change is a part of unexpected policy. Taking these behavioral responses into account, we find that the output multiplier of the program rises significantly, and indirect benefits extend to untargeted sectors through inter-industry linkages. These results highlight the critical role of consumer behavior in shaping policy outcomes and offer practical guidance for designing more effective and targeted consumption voucher programs.
    Date: 2025–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2506.01385
  4. By: Felix Reichel
    Abstract: This paper examines strategic effort and positioning choices resulting in bandwagon effects under externalities in finite multi-stage games using causal evidence from triathlon (Reichel, 2025). Focusing on open-water swim draftingwhere athletes reduce drag most effectively by swimming directly behind peerswe estimate its performance effects through a structural contest framework with endogenous, deterministic effort and drafting position. Leveraging exogenous variation from COVID-19 drafting bans in Austrian triathlons, we apply a panel leave-one-out (LOO/LOTO) peer ability instrumental variables (IV) strategy to isolate the causal non-linear effect of drafting. Results from restricted sample analysis and pooled estimated bandwagon IV effects show substantial and nonlinear gains: in small (group size below 10) drafting swim groups/clusters, each deeper position improves finishing rank on average by over 30%, with rapidly diminishing returns in larger groups. Leading however is consistently more costly than optimal positioning, aligning with theoretical predictions of energy expenditure (metabolic costs).
    Date: 2025–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2505.03247
  5. By: Yan Liu; Ying Qin; Zihe Wang
    Abstract: The all-pay auction, a classic competitive model, is widely applied in scenarios such as political elections, sports competitions, and research and development, where all participants pay their bids regardless of winning or losing. However, in the traditional all-pay auction, players have no budget constraints, whereas in real-world scenarios, players typically face budget constraints. This paper studies the Nash equilibrium of two players with budget constraints across multiple heterogeneous items in a complete-information framework. The main contributions are as follows: (1) a comprehensive characterization of the Nash equilibrium in single-item auctions with asymmetric budgets and valuations; (2) the construction of a joint distribution Nash equilibrium for the two-item scenario; and (3) the construction of a joint distribution Nash equilibrium for the three-item scenario. Unlike the unconstrained all-pay auction, which always has a Nash equilibrium, a Nash equilibrium may not exist when players have budget constraints. Our findings highlight the intricate effects of budget constraints on bidding strategies, providing new perspectives and methodologies for theoretical analysis and practical applications of all-pay auctions.
    Date: 2025–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2505.03291
  6. By: Gadais, Tegwen; Asif, Umair; Pitre, Louis-Charles; Hozhabri, Kazem; Decarpentrie, Laurie; Garneau, Andrée Anne; Stewart-Withers, Rochelle; Hapeta, Jeremy; Cifuentes, Jairzinho Francisco Panqueba; McDonald, Brent
    Abstract: Background: This review explores Sport for Development and Peace (SFD/SDP) initiatives involving Indigenous people (IP), with the aim of providing a comprehensive analysis of the research landscape from an international perspective. IP, marginalized due to the on-going implications of colonization and ensuing structural inequalities, are increasingly engaging or being engaged in SFD/SDP programs to foster health, education, cultural preservation, and social cohesion. Methods: A systematic-scoping review using PRISMA-ScR guidelines was used to identify academic works encompassing SFD/SDP and IP published since 2000. After applying strict inclusion criteria in more than seven languages, including Indigenous languages, covering multiple geographic regions, such as Oceania, Europe, and the Americas, 37 references were identified through database searches in Scopus, SportDiscus, ERIC, SocINDEX, and Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest) and Google Scholar. Experts from the field were consulted, gray literature was explored, mapping field and authors with R and the quality of studies was assessed. Results: Findings highlight a wide range of program structures and outcomes. Prominent themes include alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (notably 3, 4, 10, and 16), decolonization and cultural resurgence, health and well-being, and sport as a tool of resistance against systemic inequality. Challenges such as limited funding, logistical constraints, and political tensions remain significant. A critical insight is the necessity for culturally sensitive, community-led approaches that integrate Indigenous worldviews and knowledge systems. Programs centred on Indigenous practices show more sustainable and meaningful impact. Despite a growing body of research, most studies originate from English-speaking contexts—primarily Canada and Australia—indicating a need for greater linguistic and cultural inclusivity. Conclusion: This review offers actionable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and scholars. It calls for participatory, sustainable approaches rooted in Indigenous contexts and urges future studies to adopt Indigenous-centred or mixed-methods designs, especially longitudinal work to assess long-term outcomes. Overall, this review underscores the importance of Indigenous centred, or culturally adaptive, community-led SFD/SDP initiatives for fostering meaningful development and reconciliation in IP and communities globally. This paper also recommends that academics undertaking scoping reviews where IP are the topic of interest, move critically and cautiously with any frameworks they apply.
    Date: 2025–05–21
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:s9pvx_v1

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