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Discrimination in a Rank Order Contest: Evidence from the NFL Draft

Author

Listed:
  • Ian Gregory-Smith

    (Economics, Newcastle University Business School)

  • Alex Bryson

    (University College London)

  • Rafael Gomez

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

This paper examines discrimination in the NFL draft. The NFL is a favorable empirical setting to examine the role of skin color because franchise selectors are required to make rank-order judgements of players based on noisy signals of future productivity. Since wages are tightly related to the rank-order of the draft for the first four years of a player’s career, even if discrimination plays only a marginal role in selection, there could be a large discriminatory impact. We observe racial differences in drafting. However, much of the variation is explained by Black and White players selecting into different playing positions. Conditional upon a large set of control variables, including athletic performance at a marque selection event (the NFL combine), we do not find robust evidence of racial discrimination in NFL drafting between 2000 and 2018. However, we do find some evidence that Black players are disadvantaged relative to White players in later rounds of the draft.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Gregory-Smith & Alex Bryson & Rafael Gomez, 2023. "Discrimination in a Rank Order Contest: Evidence from the NFL Draft," Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 215-231, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joerap:v:6:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s41996-023-00118-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s41996-023-00118-y
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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