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Is there a nationality wage premium in European football?

  • Alex Farnell
  • , David Butler
  • , Giambattista Rossi
  • , Robert Simmons
  • , David Berri
  • , Esperance Yassine Bamba
  • Maynooth University
  • Birkbeck University of London
  • Lancaster University
  • Southern Utah University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We investigate the presence of nationality salary premia in two top European football leagues (the Premier League and Serie A). We uncover a substantial pay premium for South American players (primarily driven by Argentina and Brazil) of between 11 and 15 per cent in magnitude. We investigate possible mechanisms, such as whether these salary effects are driven by new entrants to the league, and whether they are reflected in team attendances and team performance. Fans appear to respond to higher proportions of South American players in England, but not in Italy. We discuss the implications of these results and suggest why potential differences might exist across the leagues.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100040
JournalSports Economics Review
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

Keywords

  • Economics
  • Football
  • Immigration
  • Labour economics
  • Law
  • Nationality
  • Political science
  • Wage

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