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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Where to Go Next?
T2 - Examining the Effect of Franchise Expansion and Location on Game-Level Attendance in Major League Soccer
AU - Semmelroth, Dirk
AU - Frick, Bernd
AU - Simmons, Robert
AU - Sung, Hojun
PY - 2022/6/1
Y1 - 2022/6/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - demand
KW - league revenues
KW - franchise placement
KW - professional team sports
U2 - 10.1177/15270025211067795
DO - 10.1177/15270025211067795
M3 - Journal article
VL - 23
SP - 524
EP - 547
JO - Journal of Sports Economics
JF - Journal of Sports Economics
SN - 1527-0025
IS - 5
ER -