3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Upper Division
This course examines the rise and growth of professional sport into a multibillion-dollar industry worldwide that is both an economic giant as well as a pop cultural phenomenon. The course takes a look at the historical development of professional sport while also examining current trends that continue to shape the industry. Students learn the basics of how pro leagues and teams operate by participating in an interactive and engaging fantasy sports simulation that sees them create their own league and manage and operate their own team. In the simulation, students deal with issues real-life pro sports managers have to address every day, including roster construction and management, pricing their product, and marketing and branding their franchise and league overall.
Learning Outcomes1Explain fundamental economic concepts, particularly as these concepts relate to the sports industry.
2Analyze differences in organizational structure across the major American sports leagues, such as the generation and distribution of revenues, restrictions on player salaries, and the promotion of competitive balance.
3Discuss the interplay between sports leagues and antitrust policy and the seminal court cases that have led to full and/or partial exemptions to federal antitrust laws for certain leagues.
4Compare and contrast the various funding mechanisms state and local municipalities have used to attract and/or keep a sports franchise as well as critically analyze the economic benefits of a sports franchise to a city.
5Explain the labor market in professional sports, particularly the determination of player salaries and key disputes between player unions and league management.
made by Purdue students.