A study of a market anomaly: “White Men Can’t Jump”, but would you bet on it?

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Year: 2015
Volume: 113
Issue: C
Pages: 13-25

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We identify a largely efficient market in which there is a relationship between race and market outcomes. Examining data on NBA games, we find that teams with more black players tend to face larger point spreads and that these teams perform worse against the spread. These biased outcomes are significantly large and persistent so that we are able to identify profit opportunities. We also find evidence that the biased spread is set by the bookmakers rather than being moved as a result of excessive betting on the more black team. We examine several alternate explanations, and the racial composition measures remain significant in these specifications.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeborg:v:113:y:2015:i:c:p:13-25
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25