Reduced Injury Protections for Temporary Contract Players in Sports Teams

Recent research published in Economic Inquiry indicates that professional sports teams tend to offer less injury-related protection and invest less in the long-term health of players on temporary contracts, such as short-term or part-time athletes. The study analyzed data collected from 2009 to 2017, comprising 4,125 observations of 1,184 athletes, with an average of approximately 3.5 years of data per player.

The findings reveal a trend where players with non-permanent contracts are more likely to miss fewer games due to injuries, suggesting that teams may prioritize the health and recovery of permanent players over their temporary counterparts. This disparity raises significant concerns about fairness and risk management in professional sports, but also echoes broader issues of employment and health investment in the gig economy.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Richard Paulsen from the University of Michigan, emphasized that the reduced investment in the health of temporary players, who often contribute substantial economic value, raises questions about how similar practices might be present in other industries employing short-term workers. "If we see less investment in the health of temporary athletes, what does this imply for temporary or gig workers elsewhere?" he asked. He further noted that many companies lack incentives to prioritize the well-being of interns, seasonal workers, or freelancers, especially if potential burnout or long-term health impacts are not directly beneficial to the current employer.

This research highlights the importance of equitable risk management practices and could prompt a re-evaluation of how organizations, including sports teams, handle injury prevention and health care for all contract types. It underscores broader societal concerns about employment standards and worker protection in increasingly flexible job markets.

For more insights, see the full study: Temporary Employment and the Protection of Investments in Human Capital: Examining the Major League Baseball Player Market.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-sports-teams-injury-players-temporary.html