📖 Overview
Andrew Zimbalist is an American economist and Robert A. Woods Professor of Economics at Smith College, where he has taught since 1974. He is widely recognized as a leading sports economist and has authored or edited more than 25 books examining the business and economics of sports.
His research focuses primarily on the economic impact of sports facilities, franchises, and mega-events like the Olympics and World Cup. Zimbalist frequently serves as an expert witness and consultant in sports-related legal cases and has testified before multiple congressional committees on sports economics issues.
Much of his published work critically examines claims about the economic benefits of publicly-funded sports venues, including influential books like "Sports, Jobs and Taxes" (1997) and "Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup" (2016). His analysis often challenges conventional wisdom about the financial impact of major sporting events and facilities.
Zimbalist's expertise extends beyond sports into Latin American economic development, Cuban economics, and comparative economic systems. He has written extensively about baseball's labor relations and financial structure, with books such as "Baseball and Billions" (1992) becoming important references in the field of sports business analysis.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Zimbalist as a thorough researcher who breaks down complex sports economics concepts for general audiences. His work combines academic rigor with accessible writing.
Readers appreciate:
- Clear explanations of financial data and market forces
- Detailed case studies of stadium deals and franchise valuations
- Evidence-based critiques of industry claims
- Balance between statistical analysis and narrative flow
Common criticisms:
- Can be dry and technical in places
- Some books repeat material from his previous works
- Occasional political bias in policy recommendations
- Limited coverage of international sports markets
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 average across all books
Amazon: 4.1/5 average
"Circus Maximus" - 4.2/5 (127 reviews)
"May the Best Team Win" - 4.0/5 (89 reviews)
One reader noted: "Zimbalist cuts through industry PR to show the real economics." Another criticized: "Too many charts and graphs interrupt the flow."
📚 Books by Andrew Zimbalist
Baseball and Billions (1992)
Economic analysis of Major League Baseball's business structure, revenue streams, and labor relations.
Sports, Jobs, and Taxes (1997) Examination of the economic impact of sports facilities and franchises on local communities.
Unpaid Professionals: Commercialism and Conflict in Big-Time College Sports (1999) Analysis of the NCAA's economic model and its effects on student-athletes and universities.
May the Best Team Win: Baseball Economics and Public Policy (2003) Study of baseball's competitive balance, antitrust exemption, and revenue sharing systems.
National Pastime: How Americans Play Baseball and the Rest of the World Plays Soccer (2005) Comparative analysis of the business and organization of global soccer versus American baseball.
In the Best Interests of Baseball? The Revolutionary Reign of Bud Selig (2006) Historical examination of MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's tenure and policy decisions.
Equal Play: Title IX and Social Change (2007) Analysis of Title IX legislation's impact on gender equity in American sports.
Circling the Bases: Essays on the Challenges and Prospects of the Sports Industry (2011) Collection of essays addressing various economic and policy issues in professional sports.
The Sabermetric Revolution: Assessing the Growth of Analytics in Baseball (2014) Examination of the development and impact of statistical analysis in baseball.
Rio 2016: Olympic Myths, Hard Realities (2016) Economic and social analysis of the 2016 Rio Olympics and its impact on Brazil.
No Boston Olympics: How and Why Smart Cities Are Passing on the Torch (2017) Case study of Boston's decision to withdraw its bid for the 2024 Olympics.
Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup (2020) Analysis of the costs and benefits of hosting major international sporting events.
Sports, Jobs, and Taxes (1997) Examination of the economic impact of sports facilities and franchises on local communities.
Unpaid Professionals: Commercialism and Conflict in Big-Time College Sports (1999) Analysis of the NCAA's economic model and its effects on student-athletes and universities.
May the Best Team Win: Baseball Economics and Public Policy (2003) Study of baseball's competitive balance, antitrust exemption, and revenue sharing systems.
National Pastime: How Americans Play Baseball and the Rest of the World Plays Soccer (2005) Comparative analysis of the business and organization of global soccer versus American baseball.
In the Best Interests of Baseball? The Revolutionary Reign of Bud Selig (2006) Historical examination of MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's tenure and policy decisions.
Equal Play: Title IX and Social Change (2007) Analysis of Title IX legislation's impact on gender equity in American sports.
Circling the Bases: Essays on the Challenges and Prospects of the Sports Industry (2011) Collection of essays addressing various economic and policy issues in professional sports.
The Sabermetric Revolution: Assessing the Growth of Analytics in Baseball (2014) Examination of the development and impact of statistical analysis in baseball.
Rio 2016: Olympic Myths, Hard Realities (2016) Economic and social analysis of the 2016 Rio Olympics and its impact on Brazil.
No Boston Olympics: How and Why Smart Cities Are Passing on the Torch (2017) Case study of Boston's decision to withdraw its bid for the 2024 Olympics.
Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup (2020) Analysis of the costs and benefits of hosting major international sporting events.