Where to Go Next?:Examining the Effect of Franchise Expansion and Location on Game-Level Attendance in Major League Soccer

Semmelroth, Dirk and Frick, Bernd and Simmons, Robert and Sung, Hojun (2022) Where to Go Next?:Examining the Effect of Franchise Expansion and Location on Game-Level Attendance in Major League Soccer. Journal of Sports Economics, 23 (5). pp. 524-547. ISSN 1527-0025

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/15270025211067795

Abstract

Using a large dataset with over 4,000 game-level observations from Major League Soccer over the period 2006 to 2019 we investigate the determinants of attendance demand. Focusing on franchise expansion and location effects, we find that some decisions made by the organization had positive impacts on league revenues. While going to cities with a large population and already hosting nearby NFL or NBA teams is positively associated with game attendance, the presence of geographically close MLB and NHL teams is detrimental to MLS revenues. Our results suggest a need for a more nuanced and selective approach to MLS expansion policy.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Journal or Publication Title:

Journal of Sports Economics

Uncontrolled Keywords:

/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2000/2001

Subjects:

?? DEMANDLEAGUE REVENUESFRANCHISE PLACEMENTPROFESSIONAL TEAM SPORTSECONOMICS, ECONOMETRICS AND FINANCE (MISCELLANEOUS) ??

Departments:

Lancaster University Management School > Economics

ID Code:

178582

Deposited By:

ep_importer_pure

Deposited On:

03 Nov 2022 12:30

Refereed?:

Yes

Published?:

Published

Last Modified:

21 Sep 2023 03:14

URI:

https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/178582