Measuring Parity in Sports Leagues with Draws: Further Comments

University of Otago Economics Discussion Papers No. 1005

17 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2010

See all articles by P. Dorian Owen

P. Dorian Owen

University of Otago - School of Business - Department of Economics

Date Written: July 20, 2010

Abstract

This paper re-examines the calculation of the relative standard deviation (RSD) measure of competitive balance in leagues in which draws are possible outcomes. Some key conclusions emerging from the exchange between Cain and Haddock (2006) and Fort (2007) are reversed. There is no difference, for any given points assignment scheme, between the RSD for absolute points compared to percentages of points. However, variations in the points assignment that change the ratio of points for a win compared to a draw do result in different RSD values, although the numerical differences are minor.

Keywords: sports economics, competitive balance, relative standard deviation, idealized standard deviation, draws/ties

JEL Classification: D63, L83

Suggested Citation

Owen, P. Dorian, Measuring Parity in Sports Leagues with Draws: Further Comments (July 20, 2010). University of Otago Economics Discussion Papers No. 1005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1446568 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1446568

P. Dorian Owen (Contact Author)

University of Otago - School of Business - Department of Economics ( email )

PO Box 56
Dunedin
New Zealand

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