18 Aug An economics thesis about the old and beloved soccer team “The Strongest”
One of the greatest joys in my life is teaching, not just because my students’ questions help me rediscover economics, but also because it allows me to be part of inspiring stories like the one, I am about to share.
A few years ago, a talented soccer player named Dany Ch. was my student. Together with him and other young learners, we explored the paths of what a colleague once called the “economics of magical realism” or as it is formally known, Welfare Economics.
Later, Dany confided that he was struggling with his thesis, unable to fully engage with the topic of social policy in the city of El Alto. He was exploring ideas but felt unconvinced and discouraged.
It was then that I suggested combining economics with another of his great passions: soccer. The idea immediately sparked his enthusiasm. That was when we began shaping his thesis topic, and I must admit I had a hand in steering it toward my beloved Tigre—the club The Strongest.
We decided to plant a small seed in the dry sands of econometrics and microeconomics, calling it ‘demand for tickets for Club “The Strongest”.
Rarely have I seen a student work with such passion and joy. It was delighted to discuss with him the small and significant discoveries he made along the way. Dany designed and refined the model for one simple reason: he was part of it. It was moving to see him transform his own soccer experiences into data and statistics, which he painstakingly gathered himself. I believe I’m not exaggerating when I say that working on his thesis was, for Dany, a genuinely enjoyable experience.
What did Dany discover? Let me share some insights.
He found that when The Strongest no longer had a chance to qualify for a tournament, ticket sales dropped dramatically. While this may seem obvious, Dany gave this decline a precise number.
He also discovered that rainy or weekend matches had little impact on ticket sales, indicating that previous results were influential fans still considered it worthwhile to attend the stadium, even when “the sky was falling”.
And one of his most beautiful findings, though it still needs refinement, was the positive impact of matches against our classic rival. Yes, it may sound obvious, but here’s how I see it: despite the fierce rivalry on the field, Tigre and Bolívar need each other. There are two sides of the same story.
This tale, I believe, has a happy ending. Dany went on to play for major Bolivian clubs, represent the national team, and complete his thesis by studying his passion. Today, he is a brilliant professional. His journey has shown future generations that a fulfilling and enjoyable future is possible, that one can combine soccer with a career, and that excellence can be achieved—it’s simply a matter of giving it your all.
Economics, once again, proved that it welcomes everyone. All it asks is a bit of patience with math, statistics, and the occasional challenging paper. The rest is very human and straightforward.
When life’s paths seem difficult, and the light at the end of the tunnel seems out of reach, Dany’s story is worth remembering—someone who dared to break through the walls of tradition, perhaps getting a bit bruised along the way, but emerging stronger.
Thank you, soccer, for uniting passions. Thank you, Economics, for keeping your doors open. And thank you, my beloved Tigre, for so much.
Lastly, I want to share that my son Santi and I never miss a match at the mighty Hernando Siles stadium. So, for that too—thank you, dear Tigre.
S. Mauricio Medinaceli Monrroy
La Paz
August 18, 2022
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