It’s only been taught twice, as a special topics class, but it is slowly rising as one of the most interesting classes in the business department.
The economics of sports, taught by Dr. Judy Heath, was once taught in the fall of 1997 and now again this spring. There are currently 30 students in the class, 20 percent of which are women. A majority of the students are economics majors with an interest in sports.
“This class leads to outcomes which haven’t been thought about,” Heath said. “It’s a course about decision- making and we use sports as the example.”
The Fogelman College of Business and Economics is planning on making this class a real class. It must go through a curriculum review this fall to be made a regular class.
“I’m planning on taking this class next fall,” said Richard Harris said, a junior finance major. “Two of my favorite things in life are sports and money.”
This class teaches the economical side of sports.
Should the city build a new arena? What are the pros and cons of stadium financing? Is this beneficial to the city? What are taxpayers going to think?
These questions and many more are answered in the class.
“This course is on how decisions are made,” Heath said. “You weigh the costs and benefits in sports.”
So far, Elliot Perry, one of the most famous former Tiger basketball players and one of Heath’s former students, already visited the class. Heath is planning on having many more guest speakers, including the director of communications for the Memphis Redbirds.
According to Heath, who also teaches labor economics and the practicum, the economics of sports has become an interesting subfield in economics, growing nationwide.
“This class is extremely interesting to me,” said Harris. “It is extremely interesting ... just the title itself.”
