nep-spo 2026-10-12 papers

on Sports and Economics

Issue of 2026–10–12
two papers chosen by
Humberto Barreto, DePauw University

Injury, Workload, and the Strategic Response of Coaches in the NBA By Kala Krishna; Sergey Lychagin; Lewis S. McLean
Analysis of Regional Disparities of Location of Sports Facilities and Sports Education Using Scientific Satellite Data By Shoichi Otomo

Injury, Workload, and the Strategic Response of Coaches in the NBA

By:	Kala Krishna; Sergey Lychagin; Lewis S. McLean
Abstract:	Worker effort increases contemporaneous output but may result in injury or burnout. Directing effort away from the workers most exposed to injury would reduce this risk, but information on the exposure is often hidden. We ask whether managers act on such private information, studying the NBA as a data-rich workplace. Instrumenting workload with teammate absence, we find that work causally raises injury risk, which contrasts with the spurious negative correlation commonly found in sports medicine studies. We also show that coaches rest players in response to injury risk shocks. By acting on this private information, coaches can raise player productivity.
JEL:	D83 J28 M54 Z22
Date:	2026–09
URL:	https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:35803

Analysis of Regional Disparities of Location of Sports Facilities and Sports Education Using Scientific Satellite Data

By:	Shoichi Otomo
Abstract:	This manuscript is an English translation and extended version of a paper originally published in Japanese (Otomo, 2024). With the advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) and data analysis techniques, handling massive datasets (big data) has become feasible in spatial information science. Consequently, infrastructure is being established to generate new utility value from spatial data. Furthermore, nationwide initiatives are actively promoting the use of open data - public information provided under terms allowing secondary usage. However, in developing regions and specific municipalities, local statistical data remain scarce, unreliable, or difficult to acquire. Additionally, long-standing concerns exist regarding the inherent limitations of standard macroeconomic indicators when performing cross-regional or international comparisons. Meanwhile, high-frequency satellite data has become widely accessible. Among various observational products, nightlight data has attracted significant attention due to its versatile applications. Generally, nightlight radiance correlates with urbanization. Prior work indicates that areas with larger populations and higher commercial development display higher radiance, whereas public infrastructure - such as sanitation systems and healthcare facilities - shows little correlation with nightlight intensity (Otomo, 2021). Building on these findings, this paper analyzes the relationship between nightlight data and the spatial distribution of sports facilities, the evolution of the fitness industry, and regional environmental disparities in sports access. The analysis confirms that the spatial distribution patterns of sports facilities differ significantly between the public and private sectors.
Date:	2026–08
URL:	https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2609.31624

This nep-spo issue is ©2026 by Humberto Barreto. It is provided as is without any express or implied warranty. It may be freely redistributed in whole or in part for any purpose. If distributed in part, please include this notice.

General information on the NEP project can be found at https://nep.repec.org. For comments please write to the director of NEP, Marco Novarese at <director@nep.repec.org>. Put “NEP” in the subject, otherwise your mail may be rejected.

NEP’s infrastructure is sponsored by the Griffith Business School of Griffith University in Australia.