Intra-match competitive intensity in French football Ligue 1 and rugby Top 14

Citation

Scelles N, Durand C, Bah TS & Rioult F (2011) Intra-match competitive intensity in French football Ligue 1 and rugby Top 14. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 9 (3-4), pp. 154-169. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSMM.2011.041569

Abstract
This article develops a new dimension of competitive balance: intra-match level. In addition, it combines stakes and reversals as well as outcome uncertainty to create a new concept: competitive intensity. Intra-match competitive intensity was measured in French football Ligue 1 over the period 1993-2008 and rugby Top 14 over the period 2001-2008. The results show the regularity of intra-match uncertainty in Ligue 1 over the period 1993-2008 and the positive impact of the bonus system which was instituted in Top 14 in 2004-2005. Indeed, Top 14 intra-match competitive intensity surpassed Ligue 1's (which was previously higher) over the sub-period 2004-2008.

Journal
International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing: Volume 9, Issue 3-4