The economics of soccer: gender strategies, referee fairness, and home advantage in professional soccer leagues

Abstract

This thesis presents a multifaceted exploration into the realm of behavioral economics through the lens of professional soccer. The choice of soccer as a data source stems from the challenge of capturing authentic behavioral data in occupational contexts. In the pursuit of validating economic theories, real-world data becomes invaluable, and professional sports, especially soccer, offer a rich and accessible repository. Soccer, a globally revered sport, not only showcases athletes’ skills but also serves as an intriguing subject due to the blend of monetary and non-monetary incentives driving the players. The thesis comprises three distinct studies, each shedding light on different behavioral aspects of professional soccer. Collectively, these studies offer profound insights into the behavioral dynamics in high-stakes, high pressure environments. They underscore the complexity of human decision-making, influenced by various factors ranging from gender and risk tolerance to social pressures and fairness concerns. The findings not only enrich the academic discourse in sports economics and behavioral economics but also have practical implications for understanding and managing behaviors in professional sports.