Dennis C. Coates

Dennis C. Coates is a Professor of Economics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). His research focuses on Public Choice, Public Finance, and Sports Economics, with a particular emphasis on evaluating the economic impacts of sports events, policy analysis of public subsidies for sports facilities, and the behavioral economics of fan attendance. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland and has held academic positions within the Department of Economics at UMBC for over two decades.

Coates' work spans theoretical and applied economics, including studies on Olympic bid referendums (e.g., Hamburg and Munich), competitive balance in sports leagues, and the socio-economic effects of fitness programs. His research also examines the interplay between interest groups and economic development, as well as the long-term impacts of professional sports franchises on urban areas.

Notable recent contributions include analyses of voter opposition to hosting the Winter Olympics, the role of designated players in Major League Soccer, and the valuation of minor league baseball's social benefits. His publications appear in journals such as Contemporary Economic Policy, Journal of Sports Economics, and Public Choice.

Coates' teaching and research are supported by a dedicated academic office (PUP 323) and administrative hours at the Public Policy Building. His current projects include working papers on fitness substitution effects and collaborative innovation in MLB stadium construction, reflecting his continued engagement with both sports economics and broader public policy issues.