What is a good topic related to the business side of baseball to write a research paper on?

Question

The assignment is to write a paper on a topic of our choice as long as it relates to our major. My major is business and I enjoy baseball, but I dont know of a specific topic to write my paper on.

Answer 1

I know it's been discussed by others, but I think the relationship between spending and winning would be a good topic, or the impact that revenue sharing has had on the ability of teams to spend in smaller markets.

If you're looking for data, I'd suggest checking out SABR's Business of Baseball Committee site.

http://www.businessofbaseball.com/

Oh, there's something I'd like to see - an examination of the impact that arbitration has had on salaries, and whether it serves as essentially restricted free agency for those with 3-5 years of service. I suspect that it does, but it would be interesting to see its development over the past thirty years.

Answer 2

You could write about relocation or expansion. A few years back I wrote a paper on the feasibility of a MLB team coming to my hometown, Portland OR. As a "fan" I really wanted a team here, but looking at it from a business standpoint I got a totally different view. You could probably find lots of information if you searched cities that have wanted MLB teams. Baseball and Business, sounds great! Good luck...

Answer 3

I think it would be most interesting to write about how the amount of money the employees in the front office, ticket sellers, scouts, minor league managers, etc. compared to the obscene salaries that the players make. I would venture to guess that the meal money handed to the players throughout the season is more than most of the other employees make.

Answer 4

Write it on the Players' Union. It is the strongest union in America.

Answer 5

Ticket sales