Ebook: Economics, Management and Optimization in Sports

Ever since the first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, sports have become an integral part of human civilization. The last decade has been commemorated by the centennial celebration of the modern Olympic movement. With great anticipation, the Olympics return to Athens, Greece, and we are once again reminded that we live in one of the most exciting periods in the history of sports. Reflecting back on my years of service as the International Olympic Com­ mittee president, I cannot overlook the remarkable changes that have taken place in the world of sports during these two decades. The technological de­ velopment and consequent globalization of the world economy opened up a window of new opportunities for the sports industry. As a result, manage­ ment, economics, and other sciences have become a significant part of modern sports. It is my pleasure to introduce this volume comprising an interesting collec­ tion of papers dealing with various aspects of management, economics and optimization applied to sports. May this book serve as a valuable source of information to researchers and practitioners as well as to casual readers look­ ing for a deeper insight into the magnificent world of sports.

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This book presents the up-to-date research developments in economics, management and optimization applied to sports, which would be of interest to researchers and practitioners in sports industry, and could be used as supplementary reading in related courses and seminars. In particular, the volume contains research papers and reviews addressing the following issues: methods for ranking teams and evaluating players' performance; techniques for predicting outcomes of sport competitions; economics for professional leagues; optimal strategies in sports; optimal referee assignment techniques; scheduling and managing sport tournaments. The specific sports discussed in the book include American football, soccer, baseball, cricket, basketball, track and field, and hockey.  

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This book presents the up-to-date research developments in economics, management and optimization applied to sports, which would be of interest to researchers and practitioners in sports industry, and could be used as supplementary reading in related courses and seminars. In particular, the volume contains research papers and reviews addressing the following issues: methods for ranking teams and evaluating players' performance; techniques for predicting outcomes of sport competitions; economics for professional leagues; optimal strategies in sports; optimal referee assignment techniques; scheduling and managing sport tournaments. The specific sports discussed in the book include American football, soccer, baseball, cricket, basketball, track and field, and hockey.  

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Matrix-based Methods for College Football Rankings....Pages 1-13
Who’s the Best? Data Envelopment Analysis and Ranking Players in the National Football League....Pages 15-30
Dynamic Programming and Time Related Strategies in Sports....Pages 31-41
Using Statistics to Predict Scores in English Premier League Soccer....Pages 43-57
Modelling and Forecasting Match Results in the English Premier League and Football League....Pages 59-77
Restructuring the Belgian Professional Football League: A Location-Allocation Solution....Pages 79-100
The Best Systems for Appointing Referees....Pages 101-120
Fashion Accessory, Social Identity or Tribal Uniform?....Pages 121-130
Modeling a Baseball Game to Optimize Pitcher Substitution Strategies Using Dynamic Programming....Pages 131-161
Mega Deal? A Relative Performance Analysis for Major League Baseball Players....Pages 163-184
Market Inefficiencies in Player Head to Head Betting on the 2003 Cricket World Cup....Pages 185-201
Searching for Patterns in Sports Contests....Pages 203-223
Track and Field Performance Data and Prediction Models: Promises and Fallacies....Pages 225-233
Using Response Surface Models for Evolutionary Estimation of Optimum Running Times....Pages 235-242
Solving Sports Scheduling and Timetabling Problems with Constraint Programming....Pages 243-264
Collaboration Networks in Sports....Pages 265-277
The Holdup System for Grouping Minor Hockey Participants Into Age Divisions....Pages 279-288
Promotion and Relegation in Rent Seeking Contests....Pages 289-300

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This book presents the up-to-date research developments in economics, management and optimization applied to sports, which would be of interest to researchers and practitioners in sports industry, and could be used as supplementary reading in related courses and seminars. In particular, the volume contains research papers and reviews addressing the following issues: methods for ranking teams and evaluating players' performance; techniques for predicting outcomes of sport competitions; economics for professional leagues; optimal strategies in sports; optimal referee assignment techniques; scheduling and managing sport tournaments. The specific sports discussed in the book include American football, soccer, baseball, cricket, basketball, track and field, and hockey.  

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Matrix-based Methods for College Football Rankings....Pages 1-13
Who’s the Best? Data Envelopment Analysis and Ranking Players in the National Football League....Pages 15-30
Dynamic Programming and Time Related Strategies in Sports....Pages 31-41
Using Statistics to Predict Scores in English Premier League Soccer....Pages 43-57
Modelling and Forecasting Match Results in the English Premier League and Football League....Pages 59-77
Restructuring the Belgian Professional Football League: A Location-Allocation Solution....Pages 79-100
The Best Systems for Appointing Referees....Pages 101-120
Fashion Accessory, Social Identity or Tribal Uniform?....Pages 121-130
Modeling a Baseball Game to Optimize Pitcher Substitution Strategies Using Dynamic Programming....Pages 131-161
Mega Deal? A Relative Performance Analysis for Major League Baseball Players....Pages 163-184
Market Inefficiencies in Player Head to Head Betting on the 2003 Cricket World Cup....Pages 185-201
Searching for Patterns in Sports Contests....Pages 203-223
Track and Field Performance Data and Prediction Models: Promises and Fallacies....Pages 225-233
Using Response Surface Models for Evolutionary Estimation of Optimum Running Times....Pages 235-242
Solving Sports Scheduling and Timetabling Problems with Constraint Programming....Pages 243-264
Collaboration Networks in Sports....Pages 265-277
The Holdup System for Grouping Minor Hockey Participants Into Age Divisions....Pages 279-288
Promotion and Relegation in Rent Seeking Contests....Pages 289-300
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