The development of sports economics has exploded in recent years, and this well-researched and relevant book explores some of the most critical themes. Contemporary Issues in Sports Economics explores topics that have previously received little attention in the literature, such as the determinants and social impacts of sports participation including the link to crime levels. The distinguished authors also discuss some of the less investigated aspects of professional team sports, including: * sports betting, financing and governance; * the impact of low scoring matches on competitive balance an. Read more... Cover; Copyright; Contents; Figures; Tables; Contributors; Acknowledgements; 1. Contemporary issues in sports; PART I Economic analysis of sport participation determinants and social impact; 2. Participation, spectatorship and media coverage in sport: some initial insights; 3. Relational goods at work! Crime and sport participation in Italy: evidence from panel data regional analysis over the period 1997-2003; PART II The economics of professional teamsports; 4. Sport financing and governance in Europe