Chair
Department of Sport AnalyticsProfessor
Department of Sport AnalyticsDepartment
Location
MacNaughton Hall, #321Syracuse, NY 13244
Biography
Dr. Rodney J. Paul, a Sports Economist, is the Director of the Sport Analytics Program and a Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Syracuse University’s Falk College. Paul’s research has appeared on Buffalo Sabres Gamenight and Forbes.com, in CFO Magazine, and in various newspaper and radio outlets, including interviews on National Public Radio focused on the NFL labor situation, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ financial difficulties, and the TV rights to the Olympic Games. He has presented at conferences both nationally and internationally, and his work has been published in The Journal of Sports Economics, International Journal of Sport Finance, Applied Economics, Atlantic Economic Journal, Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, and The Journal of Economics and Finance, among others. Paul has also authored numerous book chapters on sport economics and business. Paul serves as the faculty advisor to the Baseball Statistics and Sabermetrics Club at Syracuse University. The Club’s research involving the effect of atmospheric conditions on pitchers in Major League Baseball was presented in the poster session of the MIT/Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and was the focus of the Numbers column in ESPN the Magazine on the July 7, 2014. Dr. Paul, who has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, was honored with the prestigious Research Fellow Award by the Academy of Economics and Finance in 2014. He was also named Falk College Faculty of the Year for Research in 2014. Dr. Paul has consulted for major league teams and leagues throughout his career.Education
- Ph.D., Clemson University, Clemson, SC
- M.A., Clemson University, Clemson, SC, . Major: Applied Economics
- B.A., Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, . Major: Economics
- B.S., Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, . Major: Mathematics
Specialization
- Economics and finance of sports, specific research in: attendance modeling; modeling of sports television ratings; market efficiency and sports wagering markets; prediction market in sports; impact of violence in sports
Teaching
Currently Teaching
- SAL 470 - Experience Credit
- SAL 490 - Independent Study
- SAL 690 - Independent Study
- SAL 495 - Sport Analytics Thesis Seminar I
- SPM 365 - Sport Economics
Active Research
Research Interests
- Topics addressed in Paul's research include: • Market Efficiency • Behavioral Biases in Sports Wagering Markets • Empirically Modeling Game Attendance • Empirically Modeling Television Ratings • Uncertainty of Outcome Hypothesis • Competitive Balance • Prediction Markets in Sports • Voting Models of College Sports Polls
Sponsored Research
- Rodney Paul (PD/PI) Hamid Ekbia (Co-Investigator) , Sports Betting Literacy as Prevention: Reducing Gambling Risks Among College Students and Athletes - International Center for Responsible - Not for Profit/Foundation. End Date: 2027-12-31
- Rodney Paul (PD/PI) Hamid Ekbia (Co-Investigator) , AI Nudges for Responsible Sports Betting: Reducing Hot-Hand Bias in College Student Gamblers - International Center for Responsible - Not for Profit/Foundation. End Date: 2027-09-30
- Rodney Paul (PD/PI) , COVID-19, DFS & Sports Betting: Modeling Indiana Lottery Sales in a Shifting Gambling Landscape - International Center for Responsible - Not for Profit/Foundation. End Date: 2027-05-31
Published Scholarship
Publications
- Justin EhrlichRodney PaulNick RiccardiCollin KneissChris CainJunghoon Lee (2025). Forecasters of Success: Atmospheric Conditions and Golfer Performance on the PGA Tour. International Journal of Golf Science, 13(1) , 1-24.
- Ehrlich, J.A., Paul, R., Lee, J. and Cain, C., 2025. Momentum in professional golf: A fixed effects reassessment of the hot and cold hand fallacy. Journal of Sports Analytics, [online] 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/22150218251387601.
- Nick RiccardiRodney Paul (2025). NBA Player Types and Salaries: Assessing the Disparities in Pay. , 1-18.
- Nick RiccardiRodney Paul (2025). Family Ties: NBA Draft Position and Player Performance. American Behavioral Scientist
- Rodney PaulNick RiccardiHunter Kuchenbaur (2025). Dropping the Gloves, Driving the Play? Reassessing the Role of Fighting in Modern NHL Games. Linkoping Hockey Analytics Conference Book, 68-80.
- Losak, J.M., Weinbach, A.P. and Paul, R.J., 2024. Does Smart Money Believe in the Hot Hand? Evidence From Daily Fantasy Baseball. American Behavioral Scientist, [online] 70(1), pp.93–110. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642241235828.
- Paul, R. et al., 2024. Racial Biases in Wagering Markets – Betting Volume and Percentages in the WNBA. Journal of Gambling Business and Economics.
- Potter, J. et al., 2022. Spectators or Influencers? The Crowd Effect upon Winning in the NFL: A Natural Experiment. International Journal of Sport Finance.
- Paul, R., Baris, D., Kuchenbaur, H. and Soos, J., 2024. The role of promotions and other factors in attendance for minor league baseball – a study across all levels of play. Managerial Finance, [online] 51(7), pp.1172–1190. https://doi.org/10.1108/mf-07-2024-0478.
- Miljkovic, D. and Paul, R., 2024. Regionalism and Trade Creation: The Case of NAFTA. Agricultural Trade Policies in the New Millennium, [online] pp.273–286. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003578574-19.
Presentations
- Paul, R., 2025. Academics and the Sport Industry. In Genxsis. Genxsis/SEi-con.
- Paul, R., 2025. Future of Sport Analytics. In Bellagio. SEI-con. SEI-con.
- Paul, R., 2025. Middle East Sports Future. In Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Middle East Sports Investment Forum. MESIF.
- Paul, R., 2025. NRL in the United States. In UNLV. SEI-Con NRL. SEI-Con.
- Paul, R., 2025. The Relationship Between Television Ratings and Betting Volume. In Academy of Economics and Finance Conference. Academy of Economics and Finance.
- Paul, R., 2024. Do Fans Still Enjoy Fighting in Hockey: A case study from the AHL. In Charleston, SC. Academy of Economics and Finance Conference.
- Paul, R., 2023. Market Expectations, Race, and Former Player Status in the Retention and Dismissal of Major League Baseball Managers. In Orlando. Academy of Economics and Finance Conference.
- Paul, R., 2019. The Impact of Rest, Travel, and Ice Conditions on NHL Player Performance. In European Sports Economics Association Conference. European Sports Economics Association.
- Paul, R., Perline, J. & Garett, C.B., 2018. Quantifying the Effects of Winning in Minor League Baseball on Player Development. In European Sports Economics Association Conference. European Sports Economics Association.
- Paul, R. & Riccardi, N., 2018. Role of Age, Rest, Travel, and Ice Conditions on Junior Hockey Player Performances. In RIT Hockey Analytics Conference.
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
- Faculty of the Year for Research, Falk College
Department
Location
MacNaughton Hall, #321Syracuse, NY 13244