Background
Zimbalist, Andrew S. was born on October 16, 1947 in New York City. Son of Samuel A. and Dorothy H. Zimbalist.
( This is the story of two great sports. One is "America'...)
This is the story of two great sports. One is "America's game," while the other is "the world's game." Baseball and soccer are both beloved cultural institutions. What draws fans to one game is often a mystery to fans of the other. Despite superficial differences, however, the business and culture of these sports share more in common than meets the eye. This is the first in-depth, cross-cultural comparison of these two great pastimes and the megabusinesses that they have become. In N ational Pastime, Stefan Szymanski and Andrew Zimbalist illustrate how the different traditions of each sport have generated different possibilities for their commercial organization and exploitation. They pay special attention to the rich and complex evolution of baseball from its beginnings in America, and they trace modern soccer from its foundation in England through its subsequent expansion across the world. They illustrate how Victorian administrators laid the foundation for Major League Baseball (MLB) and soccer leagues such as the English Premier League, Italy's Serie A, and the European Champions League. The authors show how the organizers of baseball and soccer have learned from each other in the past and how they can continue to do so. Both sports are rich in tradition. In some cases, however, these traditions —often arbitrary rules established by long-defunct administrators —have obstructed the healthy development of the sport. By studying the experiences of other sports, it might be possible to develop new and better ways to operate. For example, soccer might benefit from greater cooperation among teams as in baseball. On the other hand, MLB could learn from soccer's relegation rules and more open system of ownership, thus avoiding some of the excesses (competitive imbalance, uneven team resources) associated with monopoly. Nat ional Pastime does not advocate the jettisoning of all tradition to adopt wholesale the approach of another sport, of course. In an era of globalization, where business interests are increasingly looking to transplant organizational ideas in order to maximize profits, the authors argue that fan-friendly reforms may be necessary in order to avoid something worse. Ultimately, they propose no simple solutions, instead suggesting specific reforms to the organization of baseball and soccer, drawing on each other's experiences. Lively and accessibly written, this book is essential reading for business analysts, journalists, policymakers, and managers of both sports. Most of all, however, it will appeal to baseball and soccer aficionados, whether they root for the New York Yankees, Manchester United, or Real Madrid.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0815782594/?tag=2022091-20
Zimbalist, Andrew S. was born on October 16, 1947 in New York City. Son of Samuel A. and Dorothy H. Zimbalist.
Bachelor, University Wisconsin, 1969. Master of Arts, Harvard University, 1972. Doctor of Philosophy, Harvard University, 1974.
Teaching fellow Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1971—1974. From assistant to professor Smith College, Northampton, since 1974. Visiting professor Harvard University, 1978—1979, Doshisha University, Kyoto, 1985.
Visiting professor University Geneva, 2003. Director LASA Cuba Task Force study group on transition and reform, 1990—1991. Chairman LASA Task Force on Scholarly Relations with Cuba, 1993—1994.
Member working group on Cuba Atlantic Council of the United States, 1994—1995. Project consultant Ford Foundation, 1990, MacArthur Foundation, 1992. Member advisory board Eco Consult, 1992—1996.
Chairman Cable Advisory Board, Northampton, 1993—1994. Board directors Network on East-West-South Research Cooperative on Technology Transfer, 1988—1994. Member advisory board Western Massachusetts Civil Liberties Union, 1988—1994.
Member editorial board Latin America Perspectives, 1988—1998, Journal Sports Economics, since 1999. Series editor Latin America Economic Development Book Series, Westview Press, 1987—1994. Consultant in field.
Commentator business of sports National Public Radio.
( From the front office to the family room, sabermetrics ...)
( In December 1989, the United States invaded Panama, dep...)
( This is the story of two great sports. One is "America'...)
( This is the story of two great sports. One is "America'...)
Member Drake Group for College Athletic Reform. Member of Society for American Baseball Research, Latin America Scholars Association, American Economic Association, Association for Comparative Economic Studies (editorial board journal Comparative Economic Studies 1987-1990).
Married Shelley Abend Zimbalist. Children: Jeffrey, Michael, Alex, Ella.