How Long a Honeymoon? The Effect of New Stadiums on Attendance in Major League Baseball

Christopher M. Clapp and Jahn K. Hakes
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Christopher M. Clapp: Clemson University
Jahn K. Hakes: Clemson University

Journal of Sports Economics, 2005, vol. 6, issue 3, 237-263

Abstract: Using panel data of MLB team attendance from 1950 to 2002, we determined that the attendance “honeymoon†effect of a new stadium—after separating quality-of-play effects—increases attendance by 32% to 37% the opening year of a new stadium. Attendance remains above baseline levels for only two seasons for multipurpose stadiums built during 1960 to 1974 but for 6 to 10 seasons at newer ballparks. Contrary to expectations, there is no systematic interaction between new venues and team performance on attendance or stadium revenues. This noncomplementarity implies that a profit-maximizing team owner would not use a new stadium’s revenue stream to increase team quality of play.

Keywords: sports venues; stadium economics; attendance estimation; novelty demand effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (24)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jospec:v:6:y:2005:i:3:p:237-263

DOI: 10.1177/1527002504265957

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