Economic incentives can potentially impact the competitiveness of sumo wrestling in several ways. Firstly, they could lead to match-fixing, where higher-ranked wrestlers are bribed to lose a match to help a lower-ranked wrestler advance. This undermines the integrity of the sport and the merit-based ranking system. Secondly, these incentives could create an uneven playing field, where success is determined more by financial means than by skill or effort. Lastly, they could lead to a loss of public trust and interest in the sport if fans perceive that matches are being manipulated for financial gain.
Author Steven Levitt, working with journalist Stephen Dubner, shows how economic theories can be use...
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