uwloo

ECON 254Economics of Sport

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Economics

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 6 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

The course will develop fundamental economic concepts in the context of the sports industry. The course begins with an investigation of some of the primary aspects of the way that the sports industry is organized. The course then considers labour economics in the context of sport. Finally, the course examines the issues that arise with the introduction of various levels of government and/or regulatory bodies in the sports industry, looking at competition between cities for sports teams.

Prerequisites

  • Complete 1 of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • COMM103 - Principles of Economics (0.50)
      • ECON100 - Principles of Economics (0.50)
      • ECON101 - Introduction to Microeconomics (0.50)
      • MSE263 - Managerial Economics (0.50)
    • Must have completed the following:

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001340398 / 100Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

87% liked it86% easy59% useful

From 31 ratings and 11 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • This was a very interesting course! Learning about the economics of sports and how they operate as businesses was very fun to learn. ~ Grading ~ So we basically had 2 assignments worth 20% each, midterm worth 25% and final worth 35%. So only 4 assessments make up your final mark. Prof Corey also makes the assignments due at times where you are not overwhelmed with assessments from other courses (ie 2 weeks after reading week). ~ Assignments ~ The assignments were really fun to do, you are assigned a team from the NBA or NHL and assume the role of a team general manager or a player's agent to determine various stats like the salary of a player based on their on court performance. Really fun…

    Apr 2021 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Moderate workload. Midterm and final were a bit tough. Good ECON elective to fill the requirements. Bird-ish course.

    Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The assignments are pretty cool, practical and interesting material. TA's are a bit nitpicky but that's alright.

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • 10/10 bird econ course. the 2 assignments are actually fun to do and the prof is hella chill.

    May 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Nice course fully online. Pretty bird - econ content doesn't get much harder than 101 + cool to learn about sports stuff.

    Apr 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

73 posts and comments in 68 threads mention ECON 254, March 2013 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Spring 2024

Winter 2024

Fall 2023

Spring 2023

Econ 241 or 254?? 1 point, 4 comments

u/evergreen0735: “hey-o, 254 has a lot of helpful reviews on uwflow but 241 has nothing. For people who have taken these courses, which would you recommend? I'm guessing both would be easy since its online w corey. The main things I'm considering is if they're transferrable and a light workload. …”

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Winter 2023

Fall 2022

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar