ABSTRACT
Two major academic fields of study that have contributed significantly to our understanding of the sporting world are sociology and economics. This chapter examines the ways that these two fields have contributed important perspectives to more fully address and satisfactorily understand issues in sport. Economists and sociologists are both interested in understanding the size and operation of sports markets. While economists view the market for sports as a representation of the public’s collective appetite for sports, sociologists question whether ‘appetites’ simply exist within individuals or whether they are socially constructed. One of the most fertile areas for research combining economic and sociological analysis is the study of stadium subsidies and the economic development that may accompany new stadiums. While estimating the size of the market for sport has taken considerable work, both sociologists and economists have also been interested in the actual operation of those markets, and recognize the perversities in sports markets.
