Exit Discrimination in the NBA: A Duration Analysis of Career Length

Using a panel study of annual NBA data (1989-99), evidence of exit discrimination on career length in the NBA is not found. This result is inconsistent with results from data in the 1980s but is consistent with more recent findings that have measured wage discrimination in sports in the 1990s. In a semiparametric duration analysis, it is found that performance variables are important in determining career length. These results suggest that team owners in the pursuit of championships keep talented players regardless of race. This is an affirmation of Becker's theoretical implications of market competition on discrimination