General Resources

The sources below are those that treat all sports as one industry and those that look at more than one sport. If you are looking for more detail for individual sports, see the left navigation. Some of the issues related to the business aspects of a sport may be better articulated in articles. That is particularly true on emerging issues like COVID-19's impact on sports participation and league management issues, as well time-sensitive issues like player contracts and league contract negotiations.

Census Data

The Census Bureau produces many statistics for services, retail, and manufacturing. You will need the North American Industrial Classification Codes (NAICS) and the most important are below. However, there are others that may be of interest including the Agents (71141), athletes as endorsers (61162), manufacturers of equipment, retailing, etc. Also, the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) can be used for some more granular data and these codes are a hierarchical classification system for products (goods and services) that (a) is not industry-of-origin based but can be linked to the NAICS industry structure.

Data related to spectator sports can be found in the Economic Census done every five years, Service Annual Survey, and Quarterly Service Sectors which began in 2004.

Manufacturing data can be found in the Economic Census done every five years, as well as other monthly, quarterly, and annual data.

Retail data can be found in the Economic Census done every five years, as well as other monthly, quarterly, and annual data.

7112 Spectator Sports

71121 Spectator Sports
711211 Sports Teams and Clubs: This U.S. industry comprises professional or semiprofessional sports teams or clubs primarily engaged in participating in live sporting events, such as baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and jai alai games, before a paying audience. These establishments may or may not operate their own arena, stadium, or other facility for presenting these events.
711212 Racetracks
711219 Other Spectator Sports

7113 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in organizing, promoting, and/or managing live performing arts productions, sports events, and similar events, held in facilities that they manage and operate or in facilities that are managed and operated by others.

813990 Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations)

This industry comprises establishments (except religious organizations, social advocacy organizations, civic and social organizations, business associations, professional organizations, labor unions, and political organizations) primarily engaged in promoting the interests of their members. Includes: Athletic associations and leagues, regulatory

713990 All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries

This industry comprises establishments (except amusement parks and arcades; gambling industries; golf courses and country clubs; skiing facilities; marinas; fitness and recreational sports centers; and bowling centers) primarily engaged in providing recreational and amusement services. Includes: Recreational or youth sports teams and Recreational sports clubs (i.e., sports teams) not operating sports facilities

If you want to learn more about industry research, see our Doing Industry Research guide, specifically our Business & Economic Survey pages.

Selected Print Resources

The following materials link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to digital content are provided when available.

21st Century Economics: a Reference Handbook by Rhona C. Free (Editor)
Call Number: HB171 .A19 2010
ISBN: 9781412961424
Published/Created: 2010-05-14
Provides highly readable summaries of theory and models in key areas of micro and macroeconomics, helpful for in getting a "big picture" with each entry providing a small bibliography. Chapter 52 is titled Sports Economics and chapter 53: Earnings of Professional Athletes.
The Big Leagues Go to Washington by David George Surdam
Call Number: KF3989 .S87 2015
ISBN: 9780252039140
Published/Created: 2015-04-24
This title covers the time between 1951 and 1989 when Congress held a series of hearings to investigate the antitrust aspects of professional sports leagues.
The Business and Culture of Sports by Joseph Maguire
Call Number: GV716 .B866 2019
ISBN: 9780028664989
Published/Created: 2019-05-24
This is a four volume set with peer-reviewed, cross-disciplinary pieces. Coverage includes sports dominant in the USA like Basketball, American Football, Hockey, Baseball, Golf and the world like Soccer, Racing, Tennis, Cricket, Polo, and Rugby. It includes coverage of the globalization of modern sports, with an emphasis on the theme of the entwined economic, political, and cultural reverberations, such as sports and inequality, gender, diplomacy, social mobility, race relations, and environmental sustainability.
The Business of Sports by Mark Conrad
Call Number: GV716 .C665 2017
ISBN: 9781138913196
Published/Created: 2017-03-02
This book was written specifically for journalists covering sports so that they could understand the various components and better report on the business end of teams and leagues. Includes references and a nice glossary.
The Business of Sports by Brad R. Humphreys (Editor); Dennis R. Howard (Editor)
Call Number: GV716.B89 2008
ISBN: 9780275993405
Published/Created: 2008-06-30
Table of contents
This looks at a number of concerns like profitability, mega event, specific issues within the European markets and U.S. professional and collegiate sports.
The Business of Sports by Scott Rosner; Kenneth L. Shropshire
Call Number: GV713.B87 2011
ISBN: 9780763780784
Published/Created: 2010-10-26
This edition covers professional, Olympic, and collegiate sports, and highlights the major issues that impact each of these broad categories.
The Economics of Sports by Michael Leeds; Peter von Allmen; Victor A. Matheson
Call Number: GV716 .L44 2014
ISBN: 9780133022926
Published/Created: 2013-01-08
A 2018 edition is near to being published. A textbook look at the economic aspects of the sports business. Topic include labor, public finance, and amateur sports.
An Economist Goes to the Game by Paul Oyer
Call Number: GV716 .O96 2022
ISBN: 9780300218244
Published/Created: 2022-07-12
This is a look at the ways economic thinking can help us understand how sports work both on and off the field. His topics range from the business of sport to how economics explains why some sports cannot stop the use of performance-enhancing drugs and why huge player contracts are guaranteed in baseball but not in football, etc.
Available onsite via Stacks and De Gruyter Online database.
International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics
Call Number: GV706.35 .I56
Published/Created: 2009-
Previously known as International journal of sport policy. Publishes research on sport policy and politics, their critical analysis, impact, political significance & involvement of government in such policies.
International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship
Published/Created: 1999-
This is an electronic academic journal only. It is available in Business Source Complete and Emerald and is also seen as "Sports Marketing & Sponsorship". It covers articles on sponsorship in big events, teams, stars, sports figures, etc. It has an international focus so it is good for looking at the issue of sponsorship and naming rights globally. Sample articles:
Building a sports brand (2009)
Stadium naming rights -- A guided tour (2008)
From Beckham to Ronaldo -- Assessing the nature of football player brands (2008)
Olympic bid corporate sponsorship (2008)
Sports sponsorship in the UK: The impact of regulatory intervention (2008)
Journal of Economic Perspectives
Call Number: HB1 .J643
Kahn, Lawrence M. The Sports Business as a Labor Market Laboratory Journal of Economic Perspectives. Vol. 14, No. 3: pp. 75–94.
Looking at free agency affect on pay, salary and performance data with regards to race, changes if the rules about the draft and player movement, and estimates the impacts of supervision and incentives on behavior.
Journal of Sports Economics
Call Number: GV561 .J683
Published/Created: 2000-
A scholarly journal publishing research on the subject of sports economics. The journal is intended to further research in the field of sports economics by conducting theoretical and empirical research. Available in the Sage Journals database.
Plunkett's Sports Industry Almanac
Call Number: GV716 .P58
Published/Created: 2005-
This is an annual publication that covers the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, NBA and includes statistical information as well as related company and team profiles. Includes a substantial sports industry contacts list. Also available in the database Plunket Research online. Library subscription only available on-site. Their website is helpful in understanding what is in the annual publication.
The Sport Business Handbook by Rick Horrow (Editor); Rick Burton (Editor); Myles Schrag (Editor); Mike Krzyzewski (Foreword by)
Call Number: GV716 .S5854 2023
ISBN: 9781718214002
Published/Created: 2022-10-03
The Sport Business Handbook: Insights From 100+ Leaders Who Shaped 50 Years of the Industry provides insider perspectives from more than 100 of the biggest names in the sport industry. Plentiful examples and stories, including insiders' views of major sport deals, offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of sport business.—From publisher's description.
Sport Business in Leading Economies by James J. Zhang (Editor); John Nauright (Editor); Roger H. Huang (Editor)
Call Number: GV716 .S5858 2018
ISBN: 9781787435643
Published/Created: 2017-12-04
This title explores how leading economic countries use sport business, particularly individual sports events like the Olympics or the World Cup, as well as participant sports.
Sport Funding and Finance by Bob Stewart
Call Number: GV716 .S725 2015
ISBN: 9780415839839
Published/Created: 2014-07-22
This is a textbook for students to learn about the commercial and financial structure of sports. Chapters included the basics of the business and financing it, but also includes chapters on sport cartels and wealth creation, setting up and understanding accounts, budgeting and costing, pricing, and feasibility studies. There is also an extensive bibliography.
Sport in Capitalist Society by Tony Collins
Call Number: GV706.35 .C645 2013
ISBN: 9780415813556
Published/Created: 2013-04-05
Tracing the history of modern sport from its origins in the burgeoning capitalist economy of mid-eighteenth century England to the globalised corporate sport of today, the book argues that, far from the purity of sport being 'corrupted' by capitalism, modern sport is as much a product of capitalism as the factory, the stock exchange and the unemployment line.
Sports, Inc by Phil Schaaf
Call Number: GV716 .S315 2004
ISBN: 159102112X
Published/Created: 2003-12-01
Table of contents
Discusses the evolution of the modern sports industry including information on sponsorship, franchise relocation, radio and television, stadium issues, endorsements, etc.
Sports and the Law, Examining the Legal Evolution of America's Three Major Leagues by Peter Carfagna
Call Number: KF3989 .C374 2017
ISBN: 9781683288213
Published/Created: 2017-07-25
This is the 3rd Edition and covers law issues that have impacted the "Three Major Leagues" in the United States.
Sports Economics by Rodney D. Fort
Call Number: GV716 .F68 2011
ISBN: 9780136066026
Published/Created: 2010-08-03
Good for basic understand of the business side of sports and how it impacts the games themselves.
Sports Entrepreneurship by Christopher Mumford
Call Number: GV716 .M86 2023
ISBN: 9780231196109
Published/Created: 2023-09-26
Christopher Mumford explores the state of the game in data analytics, sports betting, eSports, youth sports, fitness, and the fan experience. He surveys the key players in each sector, identifying possibilities and constraints for new entrants.—From publisher's description.
Sports Market Place Directory by Grey House Publishing
Call Number: HD9992.U5 S667
Published/Created: 2004-
This publication was taken over from Franklin Covey - the most recent data is as of 2017. It includes information on over 2,000 single sports or single sports teams, over 2,500 meetings, trade shows, and events, over 1,500 college teams, over 1,500 facilities, as well as information on professional services, agencies, media, sponsors, and leagues and state associations.
Sports Nation by Frank P. Jozsa Jr
Call Number: GV583 .J654 2018
ISBN: 9789813225510
Published/Created: 2017-08-29
The book focuses on, identifies, and analyzes various divisions and conferences of the four professional sports leagues and also provides a recent financial profile of them while being competitive, profitable or unprofitable, and well-known enterprises.
Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal
Call Number: GV716 .S77
Published/Created: 1998-
This journal is published 49 times a year and is targeted to sports executives and others interested in the business aspects of sports and sports related industries. The publisher also produces the e-mail daily - Sports Business Daily and other publications such as Street & Smith's Sports Gear. This has a web presence, see the News source in the Internet links tab in this section for a link to the publisher as well as other sports business news sources.
Transatlantic Sport by Carlos Pestana Barros (Editor); Muradali Ibrahímo (Editor); Stefan Szymanski (Editor)
Call Number: GV716 .T73 2002
ISBN: 184064947X
Published/Created: 2002-11-27
This book consist of a compilation of essays on the economics of sports and attempts to highlight both the similarities and differences in North America and Europe, as well as their implications for economic, policy and social issues.

Special Collections at the Library of Congress

Sports Byline Collection
Sports Byline USA radio series has regularly presented interviews with notable figures from the world of sports. To this point, they have aired over 6,400 such interviews with athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, owners, writers and others in the areas of baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, track and field and other sports. For the full collection of interviews, contact the Recorded Sound Reference Center.
Rodney Fort's Sports Business Data Pages
As of February 15, 2019, the dataset is organized into the following categories: North American Pro Leagues; World Football & MLS; NCAA College; and a General Data category, which includes Minor League Baseball, Tennis, NASCAR, Golf and WNBA.

Searching the Online Catalog

The subject headings listed below are general in nature while subject headings devoted to particular sports, marketing, management, and buildings/venues are found in the pages devoted to those individual sports and topics.

Additional works on the sports business in the Library of Congress may be identified by searching the Library of Congress Online Catalog under appropriate Library of Congress subject headings. Choose the topics you wish to search from the following list of subject headings to link directly to the Catalog and automatically execute a search that will allow you to browse related subject headings. Please see the individual sports business sections of this guide for catalog searches relating to them. For assistance in locating the many other subject headings which relate to the sports business, please consult a reference librarian.

Sports Industry: A Research Guide

General Resources

Census Data

Selected Print Resources

Special Collections at the Library of Congress

Searching the Online Catalog