Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2025-01-31
Books mentioned on 620. Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore?
They used to be the N.F.
Brian Burke discussed Moneyball by Michael Lewis. Stephen Dubner recommended The Licensing Racket by Rebecca Haw Allensworth.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Moneyball
Moneyball by Michael Lewis is a bestselling non-fiction book examining how the Oakland Athletics baseball team used data-driven analytics and mathematical models to compete against wealthier franchises.
Discussed“when I began doing this I hadn't read Moneyball I didn't know that”
Where to get it
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The Licensing Racket
The Licensing Racket by Rebecca Haw Allensworth is a legal study examining the power, reach, and shortcomings of professional licensing boards and how they restrict who is allowed to work.
Recommended“the legal scholar Rebecca Hall allensworth has just published a book called called the licensing racket how we decide who is allowed to work and why it goes wrong”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Plugged Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper
“as an agent the running back I loved as a kid was Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers to be honest I was a little obsessed with Franco we don't need to get into the details here but I did once write a book about him called Confessions of a hero worshipper like I said a little bit obsessed”