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Overshadowed by Popularity: The Value of Second-Tier Stars in European Football

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  • Fabienne Jedelhauser
  • Raphael Flepp
  • Egon Franck

Abstract

While second-tier stars lack popularity compared to superstars, their marginal contribution to team performance on the pitch relative to that of superstars is unknown. Relying on league-specific preseason market value distributions to define superstars and second-tier stars, we compare the marginal contributions of superstars and second-tier stars to team performance on the pitch in the top five European football leagues. Examining the impact of unexpected injury-related absences, we find that second-tier stars’ marginal contribution is at least equal to that of superstars. Thus, the players with arguably the highest costs for clubs do not contribute accordingly to short-run sportive success.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabienne Jedelhauser & Raphael Flepp & Egon Franck, 2023. "Overshadowed by Popularity: The Value of Second-Tier Stars in European Football," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 24(8), pages 1026-1054, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:24:y:2023:i:8:p:1026-1054
    DOI: 10.1177/15270025231187880
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    superstars; second-tier stars; marginal contribution; team performance; football;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z20 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - General
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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