Scott Tainsky

Scott Tainsky

Title

Professor of Management
Director of Sport and Entertainment Management

Phone

313-577-4842

Email

tainsky@wayne.edu

Office

Mike Ilitch School of Business
2771 Woodward Avenue
Room 457
Detroit, MI 48201

Academic Programs

  • Management
  • Sport entertainment management

Scott Tainsky

Biography

Dr. Tainsky utilizes economics and quantitative analysis to research major professional, intercollegiate and amateur sports. At the core of this research are the decisions made by high level sports managers and how they impact both organizational performance and the collective well-being of fans. To date his projects have focused on demand for tickets and game broadcasts, league efficiency, player performance, and corporate social responsibility in the largest US-based sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA Football, US Paralympics) as well as several abroad in Canada, China, Europe, and Africa.

Specializations/Research Interests:
Economics of sports leagues and teams
Player performance analytics
Corporate social responsibility

Education

 Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2008

 M.A., University of Michigan, 2006

 B.A., New York University, 2000

Expertise

Sport & Entertainment Management

AACSB specialty

Sports Management

Research and teaching interests

  •  Sport & Entertainment Management
  •  Sport Management
  •  Sport Economics

Publications

Mondello, M., Mills, B. M., & Tainsky, S. (forthcoming). Shared Market Competition and Broadcast Viewership in the National Football League. Journal of Sport Management. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2016-0222

Xu, J., Tainsky, S., Liang, W., & Smith, N. (forthcoming). Competitive Balance in the Chinese Soccer League. Journal of the Shanghai University of Sport: Special Issue on Managing Soccer.

Zhou, Y. & Tainsky, S. (2017). Enhanced Brand Credibility of American Athletes with International Teammates. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 26(2), 63-74.

Sung, H., Mills, B. M., & Tainsky, S. (2017). From Schadenfreude to Mitfreude? Estimating Viewership Loss and Rivalrous Relationships in Otherwise Neutral Markets. Sport Management Review, 20, 159-169. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2016.08.006

Xu, J., Tainsky, S., Liang, W., & Smith, N. (forthcoming). Competitive Balance in the Chinese Soccer League. Journal of the Shanghai University of Sport: Special Issue on Managing Soccer.

Tainsky, S., Xu, J., & Yang, Q. (2017). Competitive Balance and the Participation-Spectatorship Gap in Chinese Table Tennis. Applied Economics, 49(3), 263-272. DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2016.1197363

Mills, B. M., Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (2016). NBA Primary Market Ticket Consumers: Ex Ante Expectations and Consumer Market Origination. Journal of Sport Management, 30(5), 538-552. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2015-0230

Mills, B. M., Mondello, M., & Tainsky, S. (2016). Substitution and Quality in Shared Markets. Applied Economics. 48(32), 3020-3032. doi: 10.1080/00036846.2015.1133899

Barros, C. P., Mandlaze, D., & Tainsky, S. (2016). The Efficiency of the Mozambique Soccer League: The Moçambola. Applied Economics, 48(31), 2965-2971. doi: 10.1080/00036846.2015.1133895

Tainsky, S., Xu, J., Mills, B. M., & Salaga, S. (2015). How Success and Uncertainty Compel Interest in Related Goods: Playoff Probability and Out-of-Market Television Viewership in the National Football League. Review of Industrial Organization, 48(1), 29-43.

Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (2015). Betting Lines and College Football Television Ratings. Economics Letters, 132, 112-116.

Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (2015). The Effects of Uncertainty of Outcome, Scoring and Pre-Game Expectations on Nielsen Ratings for Bowl Championship Series Games. Journal of Sports Economics, 16(5), 439-459. doi:10.1177/1527002513497236

Xu, J., Sung, H., Tainsky, S., Mondello, M. (2015). A Tale of Three Cities: Intra-Game Ratings in Winning, Losing and Neutral Markets. International Journal of Sport Finance, 10(2).

Tainsky, S., Mills, B., & Winfree, J. A. (2015). Further Examination of Potential Bias Among MLB Umpires. Journal of Sports Economics, 16(4), 353-374. doi:10.1177/1527002513487740

Stodolska, M., & Tainsky, S. (2015). Soccer Spectatorship and Identity Discourses Among Latino Immigrants. Leisure Sciences, 37(2), 142-159.

Barros, C. P., Bertrand, G., Botti, L., & Tainsky, S. (2014). Cost Efficiency of French Rugby Clubs. Applied Economics, 46, 2721-2732. DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2014.907484

Tainsky, S., Xu, J., Salaga, S., & Mills, B. M. (2014). Spillover Benefits to Local Enthusiasm: Increases in League-Wide Interest as a Consequence of Local Sports Team Competitiveness. Journal of Economics and Business, 74, 1-10.

Kihl, L. K., Tainsky, S., Babiak, K., & Bang, H. (2014). Evaluation of a Cross-Sector Community Initiative Partnership: Delivering a Local Sport Program. Evaluation and Program Planning, 44, 36-47.

Barros, C. P., Peypoch, N., & Tainsky, S. (2014). Cost Efficiency of French Soccer League Teams. Applied Economics, 46(8), 781-789. doi:10.1080/00036846.2013.854304

Sharaievska, I., Stodolska, M., Tainsky, S., & Ryan, A. (2014). Minority Youth’s Participation in an Organized Sport Program: Needs, Motivations and Facilitators. Journal of Leisure Research, 46(5), 612-634.

Kihl, L. K., Babiak, K., & Tainsky, S. (2014). Evaluating the Implementation of a Professional Sport Team’s Corporate Community Involvement Initiative. Journal of Sport Management, 28, 324-337.

Tainsky, S., Kerwin, S., Xu, J., & Zhou, Y. (2014). Will the Real Fans Please Remain Seated? Gender and Television Ratings for Pre-Game and Game Broadcasts. Sport Management Review, 17, 190-204. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2013.04.002

Tainsky, S., Xu, J., & Zhou, Y. (2014). Qualifying the Game Uncertainty Effect: A Game-Level Analysis of NFL Postseason Broadcast Ratings. Journal of Sports Economics, 15, 219-236.. doi:10.1177/1527002512457946

Sung, Y. T., & Tainsky, S. (2014). The National Football League Wagering Market: Simple Strategies and Bye Week-Related Inefficiencies. Journal of Sports Economics, 15, 365-384. doi:10.1177/1527002512466557

Tainsky, S., & Jasielec, M. S. (2014). Television Viewership of NFL Out-of-Market Games in League Markets: Traditional Demand Shifters and Local Team Influence. Journal of Sport Management, 28, 94-108.

Santos, C. A., Tainsky, S., Schmidt, A., & Shim, C. S. (2013). Framing the Octagon: An Analysis of News-Media Coverage of Mixed Martial Arts. International Journal of Sport Communication, 6, 66-86.

Tainsky, S., Salaga, S., & Santos, C. A. (2013). Determinants of Pay-Per-View Broadcast Viewership in Sports: The Case of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Journal of Sport Management, 27, 43-58.

Tainsky, S., Salaga, S., & Santos, C. A. (2012). Estimating Attendance for the Ultimate Fighting Championship: A Demand Theory Approach [Special Issue on Combat Sports]. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 11(3/4), 206-224.

Tainsky, S., & McEvoy, C. (2012). Television Broadcast Demand in Markets Without Local Teams. Journal of Sports Economics, 13(3), 245-260.

Babiak, K., Mills, B., Tainsky, S., & Juravich, M. (2012). An Investigation into Professional Athlete Philanthropy: Is Charity Part of the Game? Journal of Sport Management, 26(2), 159-176.

Tainsky, S., & Babiak, K. (2011). Professional Athletes and Charitable Foundations: An Exploratory Investigation. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 9(3/4), 133-153.

Tainsky, S., & Winfree, J.A. (2010). Short-Run Demand and Uncertainty of Outcome in Major League Baseball. Review of Industrial Organization, 37(3), 197-214.

Tainsky, S., & Stodolska, M. (2010). Population Migration and Team Loyalty in Professional Sports. Social Science Quarterly, 91(3), 801-815.

Tainsky, S. (2010). Television Broadcast Ratings for National Football League Contests. Journal of Sports Economics, 11(6), 629-640.

Tainsky, S., & Winfree, J.A. (2010). Discrimination and Demand: The Effect of International Players on Attendance in Major League Baseball. Social Science Quarterly, 91(1), 117-128.

Tainsky, S., & Winfree, J.A. (2008). Financial Incentives and League Policy: The Example of Major League Baseball’s Steroid Policy. European Sport Management Quarterly, 8(1), 67-81.

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS


Schmidt, K.A., Tainsky, S., & Leopkey, B. (2017). De Campamentos a Escuelas: The Dominican Republic and the Development of the Major League Baseball Team Academy. In Global Sport Management: Contemporary Issues and Inquiries.

Tainsky, S. (2016). The Application of Economic Theories – Thinking Even More on Competitive Balance. In G. B. Cunningham, J. S. Fink, & A. J. Doherty (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Theory in Sport Management. London: Routledge.

Kihl, L. K., & Tainsky, S. (2013). Delivery of Large-Scale CSR Efforts Through Corporate Community Involvement: Lessons from Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Program. In J. L. Paramio, K. Babiak, & G. Walters (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Sport and Corporate Social Responsibility. 185-197. London: Routledge.

Presentations

SELECTED ABSTRACTS, PROCEEDINGS AND PRESENTATIONS

Kang, B., Salaga, S., Tainsky, S., & Juravich, M. J. (June 2017). Determinants of Television Viewership in NCAA College Basketball: Does Quality Predict Quantity? North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Denver, CO.

Salaga, S., Tainsky, S., & Mondello, M. (June 2017). The Wagering Market and NBA Television Ratings. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Denver, CO.

Mills, B. M., Tainsky, S., Greene, B. C., & Leopkey, B. (June 2016). Ultimatum Game Asymmetries and Team Allegiance in College Football. Western Economic Association International Conference. Portland, OR.

Mills, B. M., Tainsky, S., Greene, B. C., & Leopkey, B. (June 2016). From Rivalry to Reciprocity: Ultimatum Game Outcomes Between College Football Rivals. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Orlando, FL.

LeFevour, K., Tainsky, S., & Leopkey, B. (June 2016). The Institutionalization of Paralympic Sport Governance: The Case of the United States Olympic Committee. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Orlando, FL.

Salaga, S., Tainsky, S., & Mills, B. M. (November 2015). Workload and Performance Reductions: The Case of NFL Running Backs. Southern Economics Association Conference. New Orleans, LA.

Mondello, M., Tainsky, S., & Mills, B. M. (November 2015). Cross-Quality Elasticity and Demand for Substitutes in Shared Markets. Southern Economics Association Conference. New Orleans, LA.

Sung, H., Mills, B. M., & Tainsky, S. (September 2015). Rivalry and Viewership of National Football League Out-of-Market Games. 23rd European Association of Sport Management Conference. Dublin, IE.

Mills, B. M., Mondello, M., & Tainsky, S. (September 2015). Viewership among Major League Baseball Teams in Shared Markets. 23rd European Association of Sport Management Conference. Dublin, IE.

Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (August 2015). The Wagering Market and College Football Television Ratings. 7th European Sports Economics Association Conference. Zurich, SUI.

Mills, B. M., Mondello, M., & Tainsky, S. (August 2015). Shared Markets and Competitive Asymmetries in MLB Broadcast Viewership. 7th European Sports Economics Association Conference. Zurich, SUI.

Mondello, M., Gerrard, W. J., Rascher, D., Baker, R., & Tainsky, S. (June 2015). Symposium: Sports Analytics: Perspectives on How Analytics can Drive Decisions in the Boardroom and on the Field. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Ottawa, ON, CA.

Mills, B. M., Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (June 2015). NBA Primary Ticket Market Purchases and Market-Based Dynamic Demand. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Ottawa, ON, CA.

Zhou, Y., & Tainsky, S. (June 2015). Enhanced Market Value of American Athletes with International Teammates. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Ottawa, ON, CA.

LeFevour. K. & Tainsky, S. (June 2015). Framing Analysis of the Paralympic Games. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Ottawa, ON, CA.

Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (November 2014). The Influence of the Wagering Market on College Football Television Ratings. Sport Entertainment & Venues Tomorrow Conference. Columbia, SC.

Mills, B. M., Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (November 2014). Primary Market Ticket Purchases and Dynamic Characteristics of Demand for Repeat Buyers in the NBA. Southern Economic Association Conference. Atlanta, GA.

Tainsky, S., Xu, J., Mills, B. M., & Salaga, S. (June 2014). Contingent Interest in the League: Home Team Postseason Probability and Out-of-Market Television Demand in the NFL. Western Economic Association International Conference. Denver, CO.

Sung, H., Tainsky, S., & Xu, J. (May 2014). Scoring Margin and Variation in the Effect on Demand Across Winning, Losing and Neutral Markets. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Pittsburgh, PA.

Xu, J., Tainsky, S., Mills, B. M., & Salaga, S. (May 2014). Local Team Playoff Prospects and Out-of-Market Television Viewership in the NFL. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Pittsburgh, PA.

Mondello, M., Sung, H., & Tainsky, S. (November 2013). A Tale of Three Cities: Intra-Game Ratings in Winning, Losing and Neutral Markets. Southern Economic Association Conference. Tampa, FL.

Salaga, S., Mills, B. M., Xu, J., & Tainsky, S. (November 2013). Collateral Consequences of Team-Level Competitiveness Expressed through Television Ratings. Southern Economic Association Conference. Tampa, FL.

Schmidt, K. A., & Tainsky, S. (June 2013). Creciendo El Juego: An Institutional Perspective on Changes in the Structure of the Dominican Baseball Academies. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Austin, TX.

Tainsky, S., Kerwin, S., Xu, J., & Zhou, Y. (May 2013). Will the Real Fans Please Remain Seated? Gender and Television Ratings for NCAA Football Pre-Game and Game Broadcasts. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Austin, TX.

Salaga, S., & Tainsky, S. (July 2012). The Uncertainty of Outcome and Scoring Effects on Nielsen Ratings for Bowl Championship Series Games. Western Economic Association International Conference. San Francisco, CA.

Santos, C. A., Tainsky, S., Schmidt, K. A., & Shim, C. S. (May 2012). From Human Cockfighting to Legitimate Sport: Politicians Weigh in on MMA. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Seattle, WA.

Tainsky, S., Xu, J., & Zhou, Y. (May 2012). The Effect of Game Uncertainty on Demand for Postseason Games. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Seattle, WA.

Santos, C. A., Tainsky, S., Schmidt, K. A., & Shim, C. S. (March 2012). Framing the Octagon: A Media Analysis of Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Summit on Communication and Sport. Peoria, IL.

Sharaievska, I., Stodolska, M., Tainsky, S., & Ryan, A. (November 2011). Increasing Physical Activity among Minority Youth through Organized Sports Programs. National Recreation and Parks Association Congress and Exposition. Atlanta, GA.

Tainsky, S., McEvoy, C. D., & Jasielec, M. (October 2011). Viewership Maximization in Non-NFL Markets. Annual Conference of the Sport Marketing Association. Houston, TX.

Tainsky, S., Mills, B., & Winfree, J. A. (July 2011). Umpire Bias in MLB. Western Economic Association International Conference. San Diego, CA.

Tainsky, S., Salaga, S., & Santos, C. A. (June 2011). Demand for Individual Sports: Estimating Pay-Per-View Buyrates for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. London, ON, CA.

Sharaievska, I., Stodolska, M., & Tainsky, S. (April 2011). Social Capital and Well-Being Outcomes of the Reviving Baseball in Inner-Cities Program for Underprivileged Minority Youth. Association of American Geographers Conference. Seattle, WA.

Stodolska, M., Tainsky, S., & Burset, S. (October 2010). Soccer Spectatorship and Transnational Identity Discourses among Latino Immigrants. National Recreation and Parks Association Congress and Exposition. Minneapolis, MN.

Stodolska, M., & Tainsky, S. (August 2010). Soccer Spectatorship and National Identity among Latino Immigrants in the U.S. World Leisure Congress. ChunCheon, Korea.

Tainsky, S. (June 2010). Demand for Non-local Game Telecasts: Conventional Demand Shifters and Local Team Influence. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Tampa, FL.

Tainsky, S., & McEvoy, C.D. (June 2010). Television Broadcast Demand in Markets Without Local Teams. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Tampa, FL.

Tainsky, S. (May 2009). Derived Demand in Professional Sport. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Columbia, SC.

Tainsky, S., & Winfree, J.A. (May 2009). Discrimination among MLB Umpires. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Columbia, SC.

Fort, R.F., Gerrard, B., Lockett, A., Humphreys, B. Soebbing, B., Tainsky, S., Winfree, J.W., Coulson, E. (May 2008). Symposium: Managerial Economics Issues in Pro Sports: EPL Momentum, MLB Pricing, MLB Demand, and North American League Tax Policy. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Toronto, ON, CA.

Babiak, K., Tainsky, S., & Juravich, M. (May 2008). Professional Athlete Philanthropy: Walking the Talk? North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Toronto, ON, CA.

Tainsky, S., & Babiak, K. (June 2007). Professional Athletes and Charitable Involvement. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Humphreys, B., Maxcy, J., Winfree, J.A., Tainsky, S., & Bradbury, J.C. (June 2007). Symposium: Economic and Financial Aspects of Professional Team Sports. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Tainsky, S., & Winfree, J.A. (May 2007). Discrimination and Demand: The Effect of International Players on Major League Baseball Attendance. International Association of Sports Economists Conference. Dayton, OH.

Tainsky, S., & Winfree, J.A. (June 2006). Estimating the Cost of Major League Baseball’s Steroid Policy. North American Society for Sport Management Conference. Kansas City, MO.

Awards

North American Society for Sport Management Research Fellow (2015)

University of Illinois List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students
RST 130 (Fall 2015)
RST 199SE (Spring 2010, Spring 2011)
RST 516 (Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2014*, Spring 2017)
RST 520 (Fall 2011)
RST 594SE (Fall 2010)

University of Michigan Rackham Regents Fellow (2005-2008)

* Outstanding Rating

Courses taught by Scott Tainsky

Fall Term 2024 (future)

Fall Term 2023

Winter Term 2023

Fall Term 2022

Winter Term 2022