top of page

My Capstone

The Idea: How do sports teams and leagues affect the economy of cities around the world?
Why?

My passion is sports. I have been playing them for as long as I can remember. Whether it was baseball, golf, basketball, or soccer, I have always had the passion. I also live and die by the teams I root for. The Red Sox, the Buccanneers, and the Celtics have played a major part in my life. With that said, for my capstone, I want to look at how sports not only affect me but everyone around the world. Through this year-long research, I hope to get closer to my goal of being more literate in one of my deepest interests.

Premise Of My Research 

There are two major angles I looked at. First, how major sports leagues run and why are they so profitable. More specifically at how the WNBA and the NBA have a disparity between them and why there is such a large wage gap. Second, I analyzed different sports teams and their relationship with the cities they are located in, with a particular interest in how they are making the cities money. Lastly, I looked at the city of Hartford and the failures of the Whalers, and how the city could have profited from the NHL team. I hope these different angles will give my reader a great look at how sports affect the economy.  

Product 1: Paper

Five Fast Facts:

 

1.Professional leagues bring in approximately $14.3 billion dollars in the United States in earnings every year

2. The sports associations are estimated to have created 456,000 jobs in the United States with an average salary of $39,000 per job.

3. All of the NBA teams generated $5.9 billion while the WNBA teams make $51.5 million every year

4. Americans spend 20 billion dollars on sports events every year

5. Today’s global sports industry is worth between $480 and $620 billion

To view my research paper, click below.
"Broke"​ A 30 For 30 Film

I showed the 30 for 30 episode Broke. This stories the young athletes who come into millions and the financial struggles in their life.​

 

Above is the trailer for the 30 for 30

The event was at April 24 from 1:25-2:50 in the Solarium.  

Here are my take away questions:

 

- How are athletes immune and susceptible to the economy with their large sums of money?

 

- Can we blame athletes now for trying to get the most out of there contracts?

 

- How important is the relationship between the blue collar and the white collar and the teaching of financial literacy? Can it change athletes spending?

 

- Are colleges responsible for athletes going broke?​

 

SI How (and Why) Athletes Go Broke: an article that was mentioned in the episode to learn more about athletes and their money... 

An investigation into the financial outlook of young athletes
An investigation into the financial outlook of young athletes

To begin my exploration, I interviewed Brian Fierston. Aside from being my father, he is a local investment advisor at Fierston Financial Group. I asked him several questions on the topic of what he would say to a young athlete who is coming into millions. 

In addition to watching "Broke," I have researched investment strategies for these athletes as well as former athletes who are now advisors, such as Antoine Walker (far left in picture)

In conclusion, I have created a letter in the place of a financial advisor to a young NFL player who is going to come into millions. As the NFL draft was in April, I feel this topic is especially timely    

The Presentation Of My Work

On May 21, I presented all my work in a TED Talk-style. I focused on the economics of the individuals in the sports industry and how many athletes go broke. It was extremely rewarding to share my work and to showcase a year's worth of research. I hope that everyone who came to listen to my talk, not only learned something but now questions and appreciates the sacrifices athletes make every day. 

bottom of page