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Article
Biased Impartiality Among National Hockey League Referees
Mathematics
  • Michael J. Lopez, Skidmore College
  • Kevin Snyder
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Published In
International Journal of Sport Finance
Pages
208-223
DOI
10.2139/ssrn.2259798
Abstract

This paper builds an economic model of referee behavior in the National Hockey League using period-specific, in-game data. Recognizing that referees are influenced by a desire for perceived fairness, this model isolates situations where a referee is more likely to call a penalty on one team. While prior research has focused on a systematic bias in favor of the home team, we find that referee bias also depends upon game-specific conditions that incentivize an evening of penalty calls. Refereeing games in this fashion maintains the integrity of the game, thus benefiting spectator perceptions and opportunities for financial returns.

Keywords
  • biased impartiality,
  • National Hockey League,
  • referees
Citation Information
Michael J. Lopez, Kevin Snyder, “Biased Impartiality Among National Hockey League Referees,” International Journal of Sport Finance, 2013, 8-3. http://fitpublishing.com/content/biased-impartiality-among-national-hockey-league-referees-pp-208-223