We present a metric to calculate the idealized standard deviation (ISD) in the event that ties are possible and receive points in team-sport league standings. Our aim is to raise some issues regarding the customary application of that concept in leagues that do not employ a binomial system for determining rankings, to suggest that the reciprocal of the ISD may be a more intuitive construct if the intent is to represent parity, to provide scholars with a set of ISDs, and to suggest some interesting topics that arise from a quick perusal of the time series.
Fort, R., & Quirk, J. (1995). Cross-subsidization, incentives and outcomes in professional team sports leagues. Journal of Economic Literature, 33(3), 1265-1299.
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Szymanski, S. (2003). The economic design of sporting contests. Journal of Economic Literature, 16(4), 1137-1187.
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Szymanski, S., & Valletti, T. M. (2003, June). Promotion and relegation in sporting contests Available at www1.imperial.ac.uk/_Resources/(3FD6F572-7C30-4955-9F42-182250A05EE9)/promotionandrelegationinsportingcontestsfinal.doc
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Quirk, J., & Fort, R. (1992). Pay dirt: The business of professional team sportsPrinceton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
