649. Should Ohio State (and Michigan, and Clemson) Join the N.F.L.?
This episode appears to contain dynamically inserted ads. Transcript timestamps may be approximate.
Soccer leagues around the world use a promotion-and-relegation system to reward the best teams and punish the worst. We ask whether American sports fans would enjoy a similar system. (Part two of a two-part series.)
- SOURCES:
- Domonique Foxworth, sports analyst and former N.F.L. player.
- Stefan Szymanski, professor of sport management at the University of Michigan.
- Victor Matheson, professor of economics at the College of the Holy Cross.
- RESOURCES:
- "'Root, root, root for the home team" did TV kill minor league baseball in the 1950s?" by Stefan Szymanski (University of Michigan, 2025).
- "European and North American Sports Differences (?): A Quarter Century on," by Stefan Szymanski (Principles and Paradoxes of Sports Economics, 2024).
- National Pastime: How Americans Play Baseball and the Rest of the World Plays Soccer, by Stefan Szymanski and Andrew Zimbalist (2006).
- EXTRAS:
- "When Is a Superstar Just Another Employee? (Update)," by Freakonomics Radio (2025).
- "The Longest Long Shot," by Freakonomics Radio (2016).
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
(upbeat music) - Freakin' on mixed radio is sponsored by LabCorps on Demand. How much do you know about the stats that influence your wellness with LabCorps on Demand? You have the power to get closer to answers about your health. You will get health insights that are accurate, easy to understand and ready in just days. Make health testing your October ritual. Just visit ondemand.labcorps.com/freak and use code "freak" to save up to 25% off select tests. That's ondemand.labcorps.com/freak and use code "freak". Know yourself. Freakin' on mixed radio is sponsored by Southern New Hampshire University. There's no hiding how convenient Southern New Hampshire University makes college. They offer over 80 career focused graduate programs online. Classes have no set meeting time so you can balance life and learning and online tuition rates are some of the lowest in the country, making it all a little more manageable. A school this willing to work with you is worth the investment. Visit snhu.edu/freakonomics to learn more. Freakonomics radio is sponsored by LinkedIn ads. Ever invested in something that didn't live up to the hype? Marketers know that feeling. They optimize for the numbers that look great, like impressions, but then they don't see revenue. LinkedIn has a word for that, bull spend. Instead, you can get the highest row as of major ad networks with LinkedIn. Cut the bull spend, advertise on LinkedIn. Spend $250 and get a $250 credit. Go to linkedin.com/freakonomics, terms apply. Freakonomics radio is sponsored by Amica. You know what they say, if you wanna go fast, go alone. If you wanna go far, go together. So, go with Amica and get coverage from a mutual insurer that's built for their customers. One that looks after what's important to you together. Auto, home, life, and more, coverage that fits your unique needs. Amica helps you protect what matters most. Visit amica.com and get a quote today. This is the second part of a two part series, and the question we're trying to answer came from a listener's email.
Transcription truncated.
Soccer leagues around the world use a promotion-and-relegation system to reward the best teams and punish the worst. We ask whether American sports fans would enjoy a similar system. (Part two of a two-part series.)