Properties of sports ranking methods

Abstract

Ideally, the ranking of sports teams should incorporate information (comprehensiveness) obtained from the outcome of a match, such as the strength of the opponent and schedule. In addition, the ranking method should be fair and not reward teams for poor performance or factors beyond their control, such as the sequence of the matches. We state properties such that if followed, the ranking methods will be fair and comprehensive. We evaluate five popular sports ranking methods and whether or not they adhere to these properties. Further, we identify a ranking method that under reasonably sufficient conditions will satisfy all of the properties.

Keywords:

• Ranking properties
• Markov chains
• sports

Notes

Please note this paper has been re-typeset by Taylor & Francis from the manuscript originally provided to the previous publisher

1. We thank an anonymous referee for suggesting the link between the parameter α and the tournament setting such as teams and number of matches played.