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Is racial salary discrimination disappearing in the NBA? evidence from data during 1985–2015

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  • Hisahiro Naito
  • Yu Takagi

Abstract

This study re-examines the racial salary gap of National Basketball Association players by constructing a long unbalanced panel covering the 1985–1986 to 2015–2016 seasons. Contrary to the results of previous studies, we find that non-white players are paid equally to white players with similar characteristics in the 1980s and 1990s, but that white players started to be paid about 20% more than non-white players in the last 10 years. Our results are robust to all specification checks, such as quantile regressions, controlling sample selection, different contract types, and player nationality. We find that neither employer preference nor income gap of white and black residents explains this increasing salary gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Hisahiro Naito & Yu Takagi, 2017. "Is racial salary discrimination disappearing in the NBA? evidence from data during 1985–2015," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(5), pages 651-669, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:irapec:v:31:y:2017:i:5:p:651-669
    DOI: 10.1080/02692171.2017.1303037
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    Cited by:

    1. Wen-Jhan Jane, 2021. "The impact of cultural distance on salary: the case of Samurai Japan," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 11(1), pages 85-123, March.
    2. Nola Agha & David J. Berri & Akash Bhat & Jennifer Van Gilder, 2024. "The Effect of National Origin and Skin Color on Playing Time in the WNBA," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 25(6), pages 735-752, August.
    3. Hisahiro Naito & Yu Takagi, 2017. "Is there A Positive Association between Increasing Salary Discrimination in the NBA and Unshrinking Racial Income Gap of White and Black Citizens ?," Tsukuba Economics Working Papers 2017-001, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba.
    4. Shao, Wen-Chao & Zhang, Han & Chou, Li-Chen & Ye, Xi-Xi, 2023. "Comparing athletes’ mastery of salary information before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from the national basketball association," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    5. Hisahiro Naito & Yu Takagi, 2016. "Does Increasing Salary Discrimination in the NBA Reflect Disparity of Fans' Purchasing Power?," Tsukuba Economics Working Papers 2016-002, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba.
    6. Christopher Jepsen, 2023. "Determinants of Career Exits and Career Breaks in Women's Professional Basketball," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 24(8), pages 1055-1075, December.
    7. Sudhakar Raju, 2025. "Race, gender and beauty in instructional ratings: a quantile regression approach," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 27(1), pages 1-19, April.

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