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The consequences of an open labour market in a closed product market in the economic environment of European professional football

Author

Listed:
  • Trudo Dejonghe

    (Department of Business Studies, Lessius University College)

  • Wim Van Opstal

    (Higher Institute for Labour Studies – Catholic University of Leuven)

Abstract

Ever since the Bosman case opened the labour market for players in European professional football, competitive balance has reduced in favour of the Big 5 leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France). In this article we show that changing structures towards an open labour market in a closed product market resulted in a migration of player talents towards the major leagues and teams and in a competitive disadvantage for the smaller market leagues and their teams. Next to a theoretical argumentation, we provide empirical evidence and assess future options for the structure of European professional football.

Suggested Citation

  • Trudo Dejonghe & Wim Van Opstal, 2008. "The consequences of an open labour market in a closed product market in the economic environment of European professional football," Working Papers 0830, International Association of Sports Economists;North American Association of Sports Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:spe:wpaper:0830
    as

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    File URL: http://web.holycross.edu/RePEc/spe/DejongheVanOpstal_LabourMarkets.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bosman case; competitive balance; international labour mobility; professional team sports; stepping stone league;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • L52 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Industrial Policy; Sectoral Planning Methods
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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