CHRISTOPHER M. MCLEOD, PH.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Sport Management

  • Ph.D. in Sport Management, Florida State University (2017)
  • M.S. in Sport Management, Florida State University (2013)
  • B.S. in Physical Education, University of Otago (2012)

 McLeod CV

Contact Info

FLG 306
P.O. Box 118208
Gainesville, FL 32611-8208
(352) 294-1654| mcleod.c@ufl.edu


Biography

Dr. Chris McLeod is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Sport Management at the University of Florida. He studies athletes' work, development, and employment conditions with a focus on athlete-centric approaches. Based on research with new leagues in the United States, he created the concept of a human capital ecosystem (e.g., Major League Rugby, National Pro Fastpitch, National Women's Hockey League, Premier Lacrosse League). He is currently leading a team of researchers that use a mix of analytics and qualitative methods to examine whether athletes overestimate their chances of "making it." His goal is to create a theory helping athletes make excellent decisions about their careers, contracts, and human capital investments.

He has published research in top peer-reviewed sport journals such as Journal of Sport ManagementSport Management ReviewSociology of Sport JournalJournal of Sports Economics, and Journal of Sport and Social Issues. He also advises More Than Baseball, an organization dedicated to improving minor league baseball players' pay and working conditions. They have conducted research to better serve players’ needs and to help them flourish. He is interested in working with other athlete-led and worker-led organizations.

He is from Aotearoa/New Zealand and enjoys playing all sports.

He is also accepting doctoral students starting Fall 2022. If you have research experience, are intrinsically motivated, share his research interests, and love to read, please email him.

Research Interests

  • Labor Studies
  • Human Capital
  • Athlete Development
  • Sports Leagues

Courses

  • SPM 5506 Sport Finance
  • SPM 4515 Sport Business Finance