Title: Evidence of a compensating wage differential for NFL players who play on artificial turf

Authors: C.A. Dole, Mary M. Kassis

Addresses: Department of Economics, Davis College of Business, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL 32211, USA. ' Department of Economics, Richards College of Business, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118, USA

Abstract: The compensating wage differential theory predicts firms must pay wage premiums to attract workers to jobs with a higher risk of injury. Given that National Football League players believe playing on artificial turf increases the risk of injury, we examine whether |turf players| receive wage premiums. Using player data and quantile regression analysis, results provide evidence in favor of the theory. Specifically, |scorers| in the 75th (salary) percentile is the only category that shows evidence of receiving a differential. We surmise players in 90th percentile are so highly compensated to begin with that any additional compensating differential is not required.

Keywords: compensating wage differential; hedonic wage equation; artificial turf; NFL; National Football League; American football; wage premiums; injury risks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2010.037507

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2010 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.254 - 264

Published online: 14 Dec 2010 *

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