Graduation Year
2023
Graduation Month
December
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
School or Department
Economics
Major
Economics
Faculty Mentor Department
Economics
Faculty Mentor
Katrina Mullan
Subject Categories
Business Analytics | Econometrics | Industrial Organization | Labor Relations | Sports Management
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws on revenue for public Division I universities' athletic departments, challenging the long-standing debate within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). Utilizing panel data from the Knight Commission on College Athletics, which encompasses over 350 public Division I universities from 2002 to 2021, this study employs a difference-in-differences model. The model investigates state-level changes in university athletic department revenue from sponsorships (sponsrev), with special focus on the post-NIL law era. The analysis is bolstered by controls for various factors including ESPN’s FPI data, coach and equipment expenditures, and COVID-19 mask mandates.
The study's findings indicate that the effect of NIL laws on sponsorship revenue is statistically insignificant, challenging the NCAA's argument against the legalization of NIL laws. This suggests that fears of NIL laws reducing athletic department revenues may be unfounded. The study also explores potential mechanisms, such as the attraction of superior athletes to states with NIL laws, which could have broader implications for the dynamics of college athletics.
However, the research acknowledges several limitations, including the short time frame of data collection and identification problems due to variations between colleges within states. Future research should consider incorporating controls for championships, star players, and conference realignment to address year-to-year variations in popularity, performance, and reputation.
In conclusion, the evidence presented in this paper contributes to a growing body of literature on the economic implications of NIL laws in college sports, providing new insights into the relationship between athlete compensation and athletic department revenues.
Honors College Research Project
1
GLI Capstone Project
no
Recommended Citation
Cherullo, Dylan C., "Evaluating the Effect of NIL Laws on College Athletic Department Revenue" (2023). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 457.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/457
Included in
Business Analytics Commons, Econometrics Commons, Industrial Organization Commons, Labor Relations Commons, Sports Management Commons
© Copyright 2023 Dylan C. Cherullo