A small puzzle for Chip Sauer, John Palmer, and other sports economists
September 08, 2005
Gregg Easterbrook argues that first-round NFL draft choices who hold out cost themselves lots of money. While more data would be welcome, I think Easterbrook poses an interesting question.
One part of the explanation might be that many highly-touted prospects, given injuries and ordinary "couldn't cut it," don't get a lucrative second contract. Another might be that establishing a reputation for being a tough bargainer is also worth a lot of money.
But sports economists should feel free to chime in . . . .