The Trade-Off between Scoring and Competitive Balance in Basketball

Abstract

This article empirically details the trade-off between scoring and competitive balance in professional basketball. Noting reduced time of possessions in 2000, basketball federations sought to increase the speed and attractiveness of the game. At the same time an increase in possessions reduce the impact of randomness on outcome. Using both game- and season-level data from the Spanish professional league, this study confirms that the resulting increase in scoring was accompanied by decreased competitive balance. This finding empirically reveals a trade-off between the two measures, which presumably drive consumer demand.