In this conversation with Dr. Dan Rascher, Professor of Sports Management at the University of San Francisco, Shirin explores the evolution of sports economics from a niche academic field to a recognized discipline. Dr. Rascher shares insights from his journey as a sports economist and his work on high-profile cases including college athlete compensation. The discussion covers the economic impact of stadiums and sporting events, highlighting the challenges in measuring their true value to communities. They examine competitive balance across leagues with different salary structures, the changing landscape of college sports with NIL and direct payments to athletes, and how promotion/relegation might transform American soccer. The episode concludes with Dr. Rascher's thoughts on emerging trends in sports media, new sports like pickleball, and how fan experience is reshaping stadium design and technology integration.
