Description
Book SynopsisWhat can possibly account for the strange state of affairs in professional sports? There are billionaire owners and millionaire players, but both groups are constantly squabbling over money. This title deals with the main protagonists in the pro sports saga - media, unions, players, owners, politicians, and leagues.
Trade Review"In their book, Hard Ball, James Quirk and Rodney Fort take the sports industry to task with a well-conceived and clearly rendered brief on the economics behind professional sports. The authors use a methodical but vigorous approach to examine the groups--the media, unions, players, owners, leagues and local politicians--that make up the pro-sports complex... In the end, the authors blame all of pro sports' ills--from player salaries to TV contracts to sweetheart stadium deals--on monopoly. And their solution is a radical one: Like a pair of trust-busting Teddy Roosevelts, the authors would have the Department of Justice ride into the fray and carve up each of the leagues into three or four separate entities."--Jonathan V. Last, Washington Times "A significant contribution ... The authors also provide a fascinating glimpse at the history of sports revenue issues ... a readable, even chatty, dissection of our games from a valuable point of view."--Paul Chapin, Elysian Fields Quarterly "An interesting look into the world of professional athletics... [A] fresh perspective on an industry increasingly scrutinized and under fire."--Lane Hartill, The Christian Science Monitor "A gem of clear analysis and argument... [E]ssential reading for everyone."--Katherine A. Powers, The Boston Globe
Table of ContentsPreface 1. The Scene of the Crime 3 2. The Media 27 3. Unions 49 4. Players 75 5. Owners 93 6. Leagues 117 7. State and Local Politics 139 8. Breaking up that Old Gang of Mine 171 Tables 187 Bibliography 227 Index 229
