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Facility Age and Attendance in Major League Baseball

Author

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  • McEvoy, Chad D.
  • Nagel, Mark S.
  • DeSchriver, Timothy D.
  • Brown, Matthew T.

Abstract

Previous research on spectator attendance has shown that there is a "honeymoon effect" for new facilities in Major League Baseball. Little research, however, has been conducted examining the relationship between facility age and attendance throughout the life span of Major League Baseball facilities. In this study, social psychology literature covering marital satisfaction throughout the marital life cycle was used as a theoretical framework in an attempt to explain a potentially similar relationship between facility age and attendance in Major League Baseball. An economic demand model was created to examine the relationship between facility age and seasonal attendance in MLB from 1962 to 2001 (N = 950). Data indicated a statistically significant curvilinear relationship existed between facility age and attendance throughout the life span of a Major League Baseball facility. Highest attendances were found during the first years of the new facility, supporting previous studies' findings of a honeymoon effect, with the curve at its lowest attendance point in the 48th year in the facility, followed by rising attendance in the subsequent later years of the facility life span. Thus, there was statistical support for the hypothesis that attendance in Major League Baseball facilities was relatively similar to satisfaction levels of individuals over the life cycle of a marriage.

Suggested Citation

  • McEvoy, Chad D. & Nagel, Mark S. & DeSchriver, Timothy D. & Brown, Matthew T., 2005. "Facility Age and Attendance in Major League Baseball," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 19-41, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:spomar:v:8:y:2005:i:1:p:19-41
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    Cited by:

    1. Dominik Schreyer, 2019. "Football spectator no-show behaviour in the German Bundesliga," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(45), pages 4882-4901, September.
    2. Sang Hun Sung & Doo-Seung Hong & Soo Young Sul, 2020. "How We Can Enhance Spectator Attendance for the Sustainable Development of Sport in the Era of Uncertainty: A Re-Examination of Competitive Balance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Elise M. Beckman & Wenqiang Cai & Rebecca M. Esrock & Robert J. Lemke, 2012. "Explaining Game-to-Game Ticket Sales for Major League Baseball Games Over Time," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 13(5), pages 536-553, October.
    4. Stefan Szymanski, 2023. "Anticipating the honeymoon: Event study estimation of new stadium effects in Major League Baseball using the imputation method," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 61(4), pages 1077-1102, October.
    5. Agha, Nola & Rascher, Daniel, 2013. "When can economic impact be positive? Nine conditions that explain why smaller sports can have bigger impacts," MPRA Paper 48016, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Brian P Soebbing & Daniel S Mason & Brad R Humphreys, 2016. "Novelty effects and sports facilities in smaller cities: Evidence from Canadian hockey arenas," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(8), pages 1674-1690, June.
    7. Daniel A. Rascher & Matthew T. Brown & Mark S. Nagel & Chad D. McEvoy, 2012. "Financial Risk Management," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 13(4), pages 431-450, August.
    8. Alan L. Morse & Stephen L. Shapiro & Chad D. McEvoy & Daniel A. Rascher, 2008. "The Effects of Roster Turnover on Demand in the National Basketball Association," International Journal of Sport Finance, Fitness Information Technology, vol. 3(1), pages 8-18, February.
    9. Matthew T. Brown & Daniel A. Rascher & Wesley M. Ward, 2006. "The Use of Public Funds for Private Benefit: An Examination of the Relationship Between Public Stadium Funding and Ticket Prices in the National Football League," International Journal of Sport Finance, Fitness Information Technology, vol. 1(2), pages 109-118, May.
    10. Pascal Courty & Luke Davey, 2020. "The Impact of Variable Pricing, Dynamic Pricing, and Sponsored Secondary Markets in Major League Baseball," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 21(2), pages 115-138, February.

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