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Strategic Interaction in a Repeated Game: Evidence from NCAA Football Recruiting

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  • Brad R. Humphreys

    (West Virginia University)

  • Jane E. Ruseski

    (West Virginia University)

Abstract

We analyze decisions to comply or cheat on NCAA recruiting regulations in the context of repeated interactions. Teams possess private information about resources devoted to football programs, recruiting effort made by rival programs, and rival program behavior. We test for evidence that the behavior of NCAA Division IA football programs conforms to predictions from repeated game theoretic models using panel data from IA football over the period 1978–2005. We find anecdotal and empirical support for strategic interaction. The presence of in-conference rivals under NCAA sanctions increases the probability of a team being placed under future sanctions.

Suggested Citation

  • Brad R. Humphreys & Jane E. Ruseski, 2018. "Strategic Interaction in a Repeated Game: Evidence from NCAA Football Recruiting," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 52(2), pages 283-303, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:revind:v:52:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s11151-017-9600-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11151-017-9600-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    NCAA; Recruiting; Strategic interaction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z22 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Labor Issues
    • Z28 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Policy

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