Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University

Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Political Science, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Delaware, 2005. / Principal faculty advisor: Charles R. Link, Dept. of Economics. Includes bibliographical references.

Major League Baseball owners possess different types of functional background experience. I examine the financial and on-field effects of the functional and geographic background of owners in the MLB from 2001-2014. A functional background in entrepreneurship appeared to have an insignificant effect on a team’s payroll expense and on-field performance. However, teams owned by corporations appeared to have significantly lower payrolls than all other teams, a relationship that supports the theory that corporations are not concerned with their team’s on-field performance. The operating income of teams, with owners, who inherited the franchise from a family member or purchased the team using an inherited trust, was significantly higher than other teams. However, the number of team wins was negatively affected by owners, who inherited ownership. A personal tie between the owner and the team’s location was insignificant as a determinant of team payroll expense and team wins.

Thesis advisor: Robert Murphy / Major League Baseball (MLB) has largely been played the exact same way since the American League joined the National League in 1901. The pitcher stands 60 feet and 6 inches away from home plate and delivers the baseball for the batter to try to hit. Little about the game has been regulated except for the adjustment of the pitcher's mound height in 1968 and the recent addition of manager challenges. However, before the start of the 2023 MLB season, MLB commissioner Robert Manfred announced a new set of rules that perhaps change the game of baseball we once knew. The 2023 MLB season led to significantly more stolen bases for players with speed and potentially contributed to speed players changing their approach when at bat. These players with speed are drawing more walks, striking out less, and knocking in more RBIs. This is forcing MLB teams to reconsider how they decide to build their rosters. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2024. / Submitted to: Boston College. Morrissey School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics. / Discipline: Departmental Honors.

Thesis (M.A.)--San Francisco State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-99). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--San Francisco State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-99).

Thesis advisor: Marilyn J. Matelski / Sports and broadcasting have enjoyed a profitable and advantageous co-existence since television's inception. Television manufacturers depended upon the popularity of baseball, boxing, and roller derby, for instance to initially boost their products' popularity. Today, sports and media are major players in some of the most profitable unions in entertainment economics. These profitable deals have become a mainstay in our society, but what is to be said about the criticism levied at the institutions that profit off of what was once simple and pleasurable sport? These broadcasting/sport unions grant the sports markets and the networks involved distinct and noteworthy advantages worthy of critical analysis. What is to be said about this co-evolution of sports and media, its overwhelming presence in American society, and the more than profitable monetary implications and consequences for all involved? Alongside this line of investigation, one has to wonder whether sports and television as we know them today would maintain their present distinctions in the absence of a half-century of codependency. Would we have split screen, instant replays, or elaborate graphics and effects if the demand for TV sports had not escalated to its present status? Would sports occupy its present reign of superiority in our society if they did not have access to the dominating voice of television? And would sports have evolved into the sometimes glamorous and showy, sometimes evocative stage of statement that we have come to know without television's vast reach? In developing this thesis, I relied on resources such as critical articles, books, and internet sources in addition to sports and media commentary to create a historical-critical research project addressing the status of the sports and media codependency in American society today. The finished project includes: A brief historical overview of the main factors in the development of the sports and broadcasting links that have evolved over the past half century. Subsequent sections address the many areas of sports broadcasting from broadcast networks, to the cable universe and new media. Following this historical approach comes a more critical examination of sport evolution through media dependency. Here we note the many changes that have taken place in American competitive sports through the increasing exposure, popularity and revenue linked with media usage. Major League Baseball then becomes the specific case study for this historical-critical investigation. This section includes a look at Major League Baseball's storied history in relation to television and an investigation of the criticism presently levied at the organization for its multi-billion dollar profit linked with media deals. Further investigations of baseball's much-publicized strikes provide proof of the pitfalls of the sports/media relationship. The examination and line of questioning employed in this thesis have been relevant through half a century, and continue to be considered today. Furthermore, research employed provides definite proof of the media/sports dependency and predictions for the future if such relationships persist. We as a media-consuming public and nation of sports fans are left to weigh the options and enact our fate. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2003. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Communication. / Discipline: College Honors Program.